"Xica"
1976
Directed by Carlos Diegues

Set in the 18th century, when the fantastic wealth produced from the diamond trade transformed Brazil into a decadent hothouse, Carlos Diegues' comedy concerns Xica (Zeze Motta), a beautiful black slave who uses her sexual charm and savvy to benefit from Brazil's economic emergence. Xica ascends to the role of unofficial Empress, gleefully mocking her former masters while stockpiling newly found assets and power. "The film marks Diegues as one of Brazil's most innovative directors, who speaks his piece with exuberance, wit and style" (San Francisco Chronicle). With Walmor Chagas, Jose Wilker, Marcus Vinicius and Altair Lima. Portuguese with English subtitles.  109 minutes.