Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço ( 1970 )

Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço (1970): A Surrealist Farce in Portuguese Cinema

Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço, translated as He Who Waits for Dead Men's Shoes Dies Barefoot, is a 1970 Portuguese black comedy film directed by João César Monteiro. Often considered a cornerstone of Portuguese cinema novo (New Cinema), the film stands out for its absurdist humor, surrealist imagery, and scathing social critique. It's a challenging and often perplexing film, but also a deeply rewarding one for those willing to engage with its unconventional narrative and visual style. This article delves into the film's plot, themes, stylistic elements, critical reception, and its lasting significance within the context of Portuguese and international cinema.

Synopsis: A Descent into the Absurd

The film eschews a traditional, linear narrative structure, opting instead for a series of vignettes that loosely coalesce around the central character, João de Deus (played by the director himself, João César Monteiro). João de Deus is a man of leisure, seemingly without any discernible profession or purpose. He drifts through life, encountering a series of eccentric characters and bizarre situations. The film unfolds as a series of almost unrelated episodes, often punctuated by lengthy takes and unconventional editing choices.

These episodes include:

• João's interactions with his overbearing and demanding mother.
• A surreal and unsettling encounter with a group of religious fanatics.
• His attempts to seduce various women, often with comical and unsuccessful results.
• A visit to a grotesque and decaying sanatorium.
• Scenes of João wandering aimlessly through the city, observing the mundane and often absurd aspects of everyday life.

The film culminates in a bizarre and ambiguous ending, leaving the viewer with more questions than answers. The lack of a clear resolution is intentional, reflecting the film's overall theme of the absurdity and meaninglessness of existence.

Themes: Absurdity, Conformity, and Social Critique

Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço explores a range of complex themes, most prominently:

• The Absurdity of Existence: The film's title itself hints at this central theme. The bizarre and often nonsensical events that unfold throughout the narrative highlight the inherent lack of logic and meaning in human life. João's aimless wanderings and the strange encounters he experiences underscore the film's assertion that life is, at its core, absurd.
• Social Critique: Monteiro uses humor and satire to critique various aspects of Portuguese society under the Salazar dictatorship. The film mocks the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church, the rigid social structures, and the stifling conformism that characterized the era. The scenes involving religious fanatics and the decaying sanatorium serve as particularly pointed critiques of institutions and ideologies that Monteiro perceived as oppressive.
• The Burden of Family: The relationship between João and his mother is a recurring motif in the film. His mother is portrayed as a demanding and controlling figure, representing the constraints of family obligations and societal expectations. João's attempts to escape her influence reflect a desire for individual freedom and self-determination.
• The Search for Meaning: Despite the film's overall tone of absurdity, there is a subtle undercurrent of a search for meaning. João's encounters with various characters and his attempts to find love and connection suggest a longing for something more than the mundane and meaningless. However, this search is ultimately frustrated, reinforcing the film's bleak outlook on the human condition.
• Critique of Bourgeoisie: João's lifestyle and the social circles he frequents expose the vapidity and superficiality of the bourgeoisie. The film uses humor to satirize their obsession with appearances, their adherence to rigid social conventions, and their lack of genuine connection.

Stylistic Elements: Surrealism and Unconventional Filmmaking

Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço is notable for its distinctive stylistic elements, which contribute to its overall sense of surrealism and absurdity:

• Surrealist Imagery: The film is replete with surrealist images and sequences that defy logical explanation. These images often appear dreamlike and unsettling, contributing to the film's overall atmosphere of unease. Examples include the bizarre rituals of the religious fanatics, the grotesque appearance of the patients in the sanatorium, and João's recurring dreams and fantasies.
• Long Takes: Monteiro frequently employs long takes, allowing scenes to unfold at a deliberate pace. This technique creates a sense of realism and allows the viewer to observe the characters and their environment in detail. It also contributes to the film's unconventional pacing and its rejection of traditional narrative conventions.
• Unconventional Editing: The film's editing is often jarring and disorienting, with abrupt cuts and unexpected transitions. This technique further disrupts the narrative flow and enhances the film's overall sense of absurdity.
• Deadpan Humor: The film's humor is often dry, understated, and delivered with a deadpan expression. This style of humor contrasts sharply with the film's often dark and unsettling subject matter, creating a unique and memorable viewing experience.
• Self-Referentiality: Monteiro, in the lead role, blurs the lines between fiction and reality. This self-referential approach, coupled with the film's unconventional narrative, challenges the viewer's expectations and reinforces the film's overall theme of artifice and illusion.

Critical Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço received a mixed reception. Some critics praised its originality and its bold experimentation with cinematic form, while others found it to be confusing, pretentious, and inaccessible. However, over time, the film has gained recognition as a seminal work of Portuguese cinema and a significant contribution to the international avant-garde.

The film's enduring legacy can be attributed to several factors:

• Its Influence on Portuguese Cinema Novo: The film helped to establish the aesthetic and thematic concerns of the Portuguese Cinema Novo movement, which sought to challenge the conventions of mainstream cinema and to explore the social and political realities of Portugal under the Salazar dictatorship.
• Its Exploration of Universal Themes: Despite its specific cultural context, the film's exploration of themes such as the absurdity of existence, the burden of conformity, and the search for meaning resonates with audiences around the world.
• Its Innovative Use of Cinematic Language: The film's surrealist imagery, unconventional editing, and deadpan humor have influenced generations of filmmakers and artists.
• Its Uncompromising Vision: Monteiro's unwavering commitment to his artistic vision, even in the face of criticism, has made the film a testament to the power of independent and experimental filmmaking.

Today, Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Portuguese cinema and a significant work of avant-garde filmmaking. It continues to be studied, analyzed, and celebrated for its originality, its complexity, and its enduring relevance.

Comparison to other films:

While unique, Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço shares some thematic and stylistic elements with other films. Here's a table comparing it to a few selected works:

Key Aspects of Production

The production of Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço was as unconventional as the film itself. Here's a breakdown of some key aspects:

Impact on Portuguese Cinema Novo

The Portuguese Cinema Novo (New Cinema) movement, emerging in the 1960s and 70s, sought to break away from traditional filmmaking conventions and address the socio-political realities of Portugal under the authoritarian Estado Novo regime. Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço played a significant role in shaping the movement. Here's how:

Conclusion

Quem Espera por Sapatos de Defunto Morre Descalço remains a challenging but ultimately rewarding cinematic experience. Its blend of surrealism, absurdist humor, and social critique makes it a unique and enduring work of art. While its unconventional narrative and stylistic choices may not appeal to all viewers, those willing to engage with its complexities will find a film that is both thought-provoking and deeply unsettling. Its place in the history of Portuguese cinema is secure, and its influence continues to be felt by filmmakers and artists around the world. The film's enduring power lies in its ability to challenge our perceptions of reality, to question the meaning of existence, and to remind us that life, in all its absurdity, is ultimately what we make of it.