The History of Brazilian Films
At the beginning of the Brazilian Republic (1889), Brazil was in a classic dependence situation: great exporter of agricultural products and at the same time, greatly dependent on importation of manufactured goods. Goods were not the only thing being imported from abroad. Brazil was also importing a European way of life and culture.
During the period that Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil, it was a target of a new urbanization and modernization through government policy. The policy was championed by the optimism of the new republic and its mains goal was a “civilized” capital. The atmosphere of urbanization and importation of foreign culture was favorable for the introduction of the cinema in Brazil in 1886, with the first film exhibition in Rio de Janeiro.