From modernist novels to bossa nova classics.
It only makes sense why Rio de Janeiro , a city abounding in the vibrant colors offestive beachgoersand the raucous sounds of Carnival , would provide the setting for some of the groovy pieces of film , art , and literature . With a divers population , portmanteau of computer architecture old and novel , and more music genres than one can count , it ’s a urban center that ’s difficult to categorise , and that make for some really robust story - apprisal . Take , for example , the euphony we associate most with Rio : obeche . To say that it ’s any one matter would be grossly underselling it , since there are a number of offshoots to consider : bossa nova , pagode , samba reggae , and MBP ( música pop Brasileira ) , to name just a few .
And while Brazilians have taken influence from Europe and North America , they ’ve borrowed in such a way that engenders a form uniquely their own — whether that ’s Funk Carioca , which embraces New York Hip Hop , or Hélio Oiticica ’s interactive prowess installations , which marry the concept of a plural Brazilian identity . Have you ever seen a chair design by Joaquim Tenreiro ? It ’s everything you love about mid - hundred modern , but with the coastal jazz band of wicker and Natalie Wood . Neighborhoods like Santa Theresa , whose age mansions have now been turned into art art gallery , record workshop , and design studios by artists and intellectuals , is one of the few places on land we can still categorise as bohemian .
If you ’re planning a trip to Brazil ’s most famous city , here ’s how to enter into the imaging of a carioca .
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Watch
City of God (2002)
ofttimes regarded as one of the greatest films of the 21st century , City of Godis one of those moving picture that need a rewatch every few yr , just to be reminded of how serious it is . adjust from a novel by Paolo Lins and directed by Fernando Meirelles , it ’s a story secern through the photographic lens of a youthful man list Rocket , who navigates the drug - refer fury that occurs within the favelas of Rio . Its fast - pace tempo , real - life actor , and local soundtrack piece of work to create something unforgettable . A continuation , calledCity of God : The Fight Rages On , was late released on Max as a six - part series .
Central Station (1998)
Taking it ’s title from Rio ’s major train station , Central Stationis about the kinship between a former schoolteacher list Dora who makes money helping illiterate citizens of Rio write letter to their families ( and then never sending the envelopes ) and a nine - year - old boy named Josue , who come under Dora ’s upkeep when she finds him abandoned . The two fructify out on a road journeying to find Josue ’s long - lost father . It ’s a film that ’s captured the heart and soul of many Brazilians , and earned Fernanda Montenegro an Academy Award for Best Actress nomination ( the only Brazilian actress in that class to particular date ) .
That Man From Río (1964)
disregard that this was directed by a French guy wire . Watch this film , star Jean Paul Belmondo , for the eye candy — sensational nip of Sugarloaf Mountain , Ipanema ’s mosaic - lined walkway , and ( even though most are located in Brasilia ) Oscar Niemeyer ’s futuristic computer architecture . The tight - paced plot follows an US Army private who embark on a mission to rescue his lady friend , who ’s been snatch by thieves and brought to Rio .
Read
The Hour of the Starby Clarice Lispector (1977)
Lispector , a Ukrainian - carry Brazilian novelist , journalist , and myopic tale writer , is perhaps not as widely known in the US as she should be , but in Rio , put photos of her line every bookstore . Often compared to Virginia Woolf for her observational meditations , Lispector ’s stream of consciousness never feel rambly , but is instead packed with lyrics so hit - you - in - the - face resonant , you ’ll feel yourself underscore every other condemnation . Start , ironically , with her last record book , The Hour of the Star , which follows a working grade fair sex named Macabea through the streets of Rio .
Eleven Minutesby Paulo Coelho (2003)
You might be familiar with Paulo Coelho ’s most famous work , The Alchemist , and if you ’re a fan of that deed of conveyance , tick off outEleven Minutes , which narrate the experience of a young Brazilian named Maria who embarks on a journey of sexual discovery . Though it begins in Rio , most of the novel avowedly takes seat in Geneva , Switzerland . But it ’s deserving get to know one of Brazil ’s most cherished author .
Ways to Disappearby Idra Novey (2016)
In this contemporary novel by Idra Novey ( who is also know for translate Lispector ) , a celebrated Brazilian writer nominate Beatriz Yagoda mysteriously vanishes , inspire an American translator of her work to take to Rio and solve the mystery of Yagoda ’s fade . This page - turner of a novel is a reflection on the complexities of translation — and it ’s comic , too .
Listen
Getz/Gilberto, Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto(1964)
It ’s the record album that introduced the world to bossa nova with the call , The Girl from Ipanema , and it ’s imperative that you mind to it while visualize yourself on Rio ’s bustling seaboard . Considered by many to be one of the nifty malarkey record album of all time , Getz / Gilbertocan be credited for the very best in elevator music . Bonus : If you ’re interested in the genre of bossa nova , be sure to add together the animated documentary , They burgeon forth the Piano Player , to your watchlist .
Tropicália: ou Panis et Circencis, Caetano Veloso, Os Mutantes, and Tom Zé (1968)
Tropicalía was a Brazilian esthetic motion that arise in the ’ LX , characterized by a melding of various influences , and when it came to music , it intend everything from samba and African rhythms to psychedelia andThe Beatles . This album served as the movement ’s pronunciamento and was considered to be pretty radical at the prison term , as many of the lyrics push the boundaries of saying under a military monocracy , jab fun at Brazilian club — it even landed Veloso and Gil some time in prison .
Tim Maia 1971(1971)
Tim Maia is one of the greats . Along with Jorge Ben , the Brazilian artist is famous for wind North American black music — specifically someone — into the fabric of MBP . The albumTim Maia 1971is a good place to introduce yourself with his music , with popular tracks like “ Não Quero Dinheiro . ” Bonus : Maia makes an coming into court on theCity of Godsoundtrack , with “ O Caminho Do Bem . ”
Rio’s Best Party Happens Once a Month at This Tiny Record Store
Vinil do Mustafa is a treasure trove of 1970s Tropicalía music.
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
