In 1937, right before the rise of the authoritarian Estado Novo regime in Brazil, a 12-year-old Hugo is sent to live with his mother, Anna (played by Vera Fischer). Anna is the mistress of a powerful, corrupt politician and resides in a luxurious, upscale brothel that caters to the political elite.
The narrative of Amor Estranho Amor is deeply tied to real-world Brazilian history. The core events of the film take place over a critical 48-hour period in . This specific window leads directly up to the historical installation of the Estado Novo (New State) dictatorship by President Getúlio Vargas. Amor Estranho Amor -Love Strange Love- -1982- English
The film daringly tackles the Oedipus complex head-on. Khouri does not shy away from depicting Hugo’s attraction to Ana. Because Ana is a prostitute, the lines between maternal affection and sexual availability are blurred for the boy. This creates a psychological tension that defines the film’s tragic tone. It is not merely a story about sex, but about the desperate need for connection and the confusion of love with possession. In 1937, right before the rise of the
: After Xuxa became a massively popular international children's television host, she fought for decades to keep the film out of circulation. It was legally banned in Brazil for many years. Recent Release The core events of the film take place
: The ban was eventually lifted, and the film was officially released on Canal Brasil Where to Watch