Portrait of a Certain Orient is an adaptation of the award-winning novel Relato de um Certo Oriente by Milton Hatoum. The plot begins in 1949, when the Lebanese Catholic siblings Emilie and Emir leave a Lebanon on the brink of war, embarking towards the unknown Brazil. During the crossing, Emilie falls in love with the Muslim merchant Omar, arousing the uncontrollable jealousy of Emir, who blames the Muslims for the tragic death of his parents. The journey becomes even more dramatic when a fight between Emir and Omar results in an accidental gunshot that seriously injures Emir. Emilie, desperate, seeks help in an indigenous village in the Amazon jungle to save her brother’s life. Once recovered, they continue to Manaus, where Emilie’s choices lead to tragic consequences.
Shot in stunning black and white, Pierre de Kerchove’s cinematography is one of the film’s greatest strengths. Each scene is carefully crafted. The close-ups bring a powerful intimacy, allowing the audience to connect deeply with the characters’ emotions. At various moments, the photography refers to the works of Sebastião Salgado, transporting the viewer to an “Amazonian scene” of rare beauty.
Marcelo Gomes, whose filmography includes works such as Cinema, Aspirinas e Urubus and Viajo porque preciso, Volto porque te amo, once again demonstrates his ability to translate complex and human stories to the cinema. The adaptation of “Relato de um Certo Oriente” is handled with delicate sensitivity, balancing fidelity to the literary text with an inventive cinematic approach. Gomes manages to transform the memories and streams of consciousness of the novel into a visually rich and emotionally charged narrative.
The subtle and evocative soundtrack perfectly complements the aesthetics of the film, where sound is often present in nature. Instead of dominating the narrative, the music works in harmonious synergy with the cinematography, highlighting moments of tension and introspection without ever distracting the audience from the central story.
In addition to the cinematography, the performances are another pillar of Portrait of a Certain Orient. Wafa’a Celine Halawi offers a multifaceted and profound Emilie, while Zakaria Kaakour and Charbel Kamel bring intensity and authenticity to their roles. The participation of Rosa Peixoto and her family, borrowing indigenous rituals and customs, adds a valuable cultural contrast to the plot. The narrative addresses issues of memory, tradition and identity in a way that resonates deeply.
Portrait of a Certain Orient is an intimate study of memory, passion and prejudice, immersed in the context of Lebanese immigration in the Brazilian Amazon. The work is a warm homage to the emotional and cultural complexity of Milton Hatoum’s novel, translated to the screen with sublime mastery by Marcelo Gomes.
Marcelo Gomes delivers an intimate epic that remains faithful to the spirit of the original novel, while creating something profoundly new and admirable.
You can find Portrait of a Certain Orient in cinemas from November 21st.
Did you like the content? Then leave a comment to let me know!
Until the next text.