Paulistas

Paulistas is an evocative 2017 Brazilian documentary film directed by Daniel Nolasco, starring Rafael Nolasco and Vinícius Nolasco. Shot primarily in the rural heart of Brazil's Goiás state, the film captures the decline and transformation of traditional lifestyles due to socio-economic changes, building up a stark and moving portrait of a fading world.

The title, Paulistas, refers to the inhabitants of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and significantly, migrants from São Paulo who moved to Goiás in the 1960s. Most of them were small-time farmers and manual labourers who made a living by tilling the land. This is also true of the family the documentary focuses on, who are now the agents of a dramatic change, representing a profound commentary on urbanization, deforestation, and socio-economic realities of contemporary Brazil.

The film unfolds in an almost meditative pace that combines intimate character study and wider socio-economic exploration. At the heart of the story are Samuel (Rafael Nolasco) and Vinicius (Vinicius Nolasco). Samuel is the older brother who, after working for years in the city, has returned to his birthplace, which no longer resembles the pastoral landscape of his childhood. Vinícius remains in town with his wife, grappling with the shift from agricultural life to the new era of rampant soy cultivation, largely brought on by the younger generation who abandoned farming to work in urban areas.

We also meet other residents of the rural area who are confronted by the changing tides, creating a reflective and thought-provoking dialogue about ecological fragility, industrial agriculture, family bonds, and memory. From the onset, Nolasco presents a sort of quiet lament for a way of life that is quickly vanishing but does so without sacrifising the nuanced figure he draws of the people navigating these changes.

The cinematography of Paulistas is truly remarkable. The wide, sweeping shots of the natural landscape blend beautifully with close-ups, allowing the viewers to understand the intimate connection these people have with their land. For the Paulistas, the land is not just a source of income, it's their home, it's their identity. The film uses these visuals to highlight the stark contrast between the lush, green rustic beauty and the industrial intrusions in the form of machinery and deforestation, quietly critiquing the destruction being caused in the name of progress.

Nolasco's documentary blurs the line between the personal and the political, incorporating his own family history into the narrative. His family were among the Paulistas who migrated to Goiás in the 1960s. By including this familial connection, Nolasco infuses the film with a sense of authenticity and personal investment, carving out an affecting narrative that tells a specific story but also speaks to wider, universal themes of change, resilience, and the passage of time.

In their roles, both Rafael Nolasco and Vinicius Nolasco do an excellent job. Their performances are natural and understated, capturing the constrained emotions and quiet determination of their characters. Through their interactions with the land, and each other, we see their love for their birthplace, their struggle to adapt to the changing times, and their longing for simpler days.

Paulistas serves as a poignant exploration of the intersection between human resilience and the environment. It's a contemplative piece of work, sure to leave dynamics that will resonate with the audience long after the film is over. It poses deep, philosophical questions without postulating easy answers.

Nolasco’s film doesn’t just document a rural community in flux, it also captures a painful demise of a way of life and the onset of industrial progress. Yet, despite the melancholy that pervades the film, there is also a sense of persistent hope that echoes throughout, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Paulistas is a profoundly moving tale about the human instinct for survival and the search for identity amid sweeping change. The film leaves a haunting, yet beautiful impression, encapsulating the timeless struggle between man, progress, and his environment. With its beautiful cinematography and intimate storytelling, Paulistas is a thought-provoking and memorable viewing experience.