"O Fim do Sem Fim" (something like "The End of the Endless") is a feature documentary made during the year that celebrated the 500th anniversary of Brazil and the Millennium. It is a discovery film--a study and an investigation of Brazil as the country enters the second millennium. It accomplishes this by looking at people in jobs and professions that are highly unusual (for example, prophet or "master of all masters") or are becoming anachronistic in Brazil (street photographer, elevator operator)--and that often became anachronistic in North America and Europe decades ago. The film pays tribute to the creative tradition of Brazilians from all over the huge country and celebrates their humanity and their resistance to new cultural forms and technological trends.

The film also pays overt homage to early Brazilian cinema--especially Mário Peixoto's classic silent film, "Limite." Made by three artist film-makers who mix DV, Super-8, 16mm, and 35mm, "The End of the Endless" is a continuous delight for the senses and the mind as we watch the country reinvent itself in some very unlikely ways.

During the course of the film, we meet wonderful people from locations in many states--Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Bahia, Alagoas, Sergipe, Pernambuco, Paraíba and Ceará.

Images are copyright of the individual producers/distributors.

Series concept, texts, and other materials copyright © 2003-2006 William Gilcher. All rights reserved.