Seis Dias de Ouricuri

The beginning of Coutinho's unique documentary filmmaking body of work -- a fractured but ultimately triumphant chapter of a career in constant self-reinvention, full of unwanted pauses and impressive rebirths --, already showing his immense yet seemingly effortless generosity as a skillful interviewer. It's interesting to notice how he started to forge his style even within so many restraints and conventions -- narrations feels a bit repetitive and too busy, always guiding images when they actually speak for themselves --, both political and commercial. At the same time, this was a completely different time for journalists in brazilian TV, when Globo Repórter actually used to attract filmmakers and docs were shot on film. So what we get, all things considered regarding television format and its editorial traditions of allegedly bringing the public information and analysis, not necessarily in this order, is a gripping, timeless depiction of hunger in northeastern Brazil, with desperate people having a rare opportunity to openly share their desperation for food, water, jobs and some dignity -- shocking to hear that guy saying that some people lose their grip on reality and just go insane because of so many unbearable hardships.