FRAGMENTS OF LIFE (1929) Áurea de Aremar, Carlos Ferreira & José Medina Filho|Comedy|Nostalgic Flick

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Fragmentos da Vida (Fragments of Life) is a 1929 Brazilian silent drama film directed by José Medina. It was the last production of Rossi-Film and was acclaimed as "the most daring portrait of Brazilian urban life" (Cinearte, April 1929), and is today considered a pioneering work of national cinematographic realism.

Synopsis:

Fragmentos da Vida tells the story of two vagabonds living by petty crimes in the streets of São Paulo. In his childhood, one of them witnesses his father's death, a construction worker who falls from scaffolding. Before dying, the father advises him on honesty and work as the only true values of men. However, over time, the boy, now a young man, an operator, becomes a vagabond and is arrested by the police for not having a place to spend the winter.

With this intention, the vagabond, along with a friend, carries out a series of petty crimes, but chance always offers a conciliatory solution. In a restaurant, he tries to eat without paying, but a solidary citizen prevents the police from being called and pays for the meal. In the next adventure, the character breaks a shop window and confesses the act to the owner, but the owner, doubting his frankness, looks for another culprit. A new petty crime is rehearsed. On a street watched by a policeman, the protagonist suddenly embraces a young woman who, to his surprise, reciprocates the gesture and thanks him for the approach; both are then ostentatiously followed by suspicious men. Disconsolate, the vagabond and his companion continue to wander until they stand before a church. The vagabond enters, and the priest's discourse evokes his father's last advice. He leaves the church emotional, willing to reform, but is finally arrested by the police for a crime he did not commit. An intertitle announces his suicide.

Cast & Crew:

Áurea de Aremar as Moça (Young Woman)
Carlos Ferreira as Operário; Vagabundo (Worker; Vagabond)
Alfredo Roussy as Malandro (Rascal)
José Medina Filho as Vagabundo when child (Vagabond as a child)

Directed by: José Medina
Written by: José Medina
Produced by: Rossi-Film
Cinematography: Gilberto Rossi
Distributed by: Rossi-Film
Release Date: April 15, 1929 (Cine Odeon, Rio de Janeiro)
Running Time: 40 minutes
Country: Brazil
Language: Silent (Portuguese intertitles)
Budget: 60 contos de réis