Sobradinho (2020) [N/A]
Featuring:
Tereza Batalha, Maria Francisca, Fátima Massimo
Directed by:
Marília Hughes Guerreiro, Cláudio Marques
Release Date:
October 22, 2020
Original Title:
Sobradinho
Genres:
Documentary
Production Companies:
Coisa de Cinema
Production Countries:
Brazil
Ratings / Certifications:
N/A
Runtime: 71
In the 70s, a dam and a hydroelectric plant were built in Sobradinho. The government at the time, which was commanded by the military regime, thought that that small town, in the northeast hinterland, would be ideal for the construction, because there would be no resistance from the locals. So, 73.000 people were displaced - it is one of the biggest forced migrations in the history of Brazil. Four cities and dozens of villages submerged. Mrs. Pequenita was the only inhabitant to ever return; there, she lives in a ghost town. She receives the visit of three social agents, who own old videos and photos of the region.
In the 1970's, the dam and hydroelectric power plant of Sobradinho, one of the most impressive works carried out during the military regime, was built in the north of Bahia. Four cities and dozens of villages were submerged. About 73,000 people were displaced, shaping up as one of the largest forced migrations in the history of Brazil. Pilão Arcado Velho was the only town in the area that has not been completely flooded. Dona Pequenita was the only former resident to return to her hometown. She lives solitarily in Pilão Arcado Velho until the present day, amongst the ruins. We went to Pilão Arcado Velho with Thereza Batalha, Fátima Massimo and Francisca Xavier, old ladies that worked as social assistants in the 70's. Their work was to inform the inhabitants they needed to go out. They organized the forced displacement. The narrative of "Sobradinho" mix newsreels, archive material and an important soap opera at that time. Through it we can listen the voices of the government and the society during the militar period.
