The Quartet (1995)
A Brazilian period drama about forbidden love, betrayal, and the price of desire among Italian immigrants building new lives in South America.
The Quartet - Movie Information
- Original Title: O Quatrilho
- Release Year: 1995
- Directed by: Fábio Barreto
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: Portuguese
- Spoken Languages: Portuguese
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 20, 1995 (Brazil - L), January 30, 1997 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: O Quatrilho (BR), Кадриль (RU)
- Production Companies: LC Barreto, Filmes do Equador
- Production Countries: Brazil
The Quartet - Plot
The story of two immigrant couples: Teresa and Angelo; Pierina and Massimo. While fighting for survival in the new world, the unexpected love of Massimo and Teresa appears. They react against family and cultural traditions and leave to a new destiny, leaving their partners. Quatrilho is the name of a card game in which the player have to betray his partner in order to become the champion.
Where to Watch The Quartet
Looking for where to watch The Quartet?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Quartet - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Fábio Barreto
Main Cast
- Glória Pires
- Patricia Pillar
- Alexandre Paternost
- Bruno Campos
- Gianfrancesco Guarnieri
- José Lewgoy
- Cecil Thiré
- Cláudio Mamberti
- Antonio Carlos Pires
- Arcangelo Zorzi
Writers
- Antônio Calmon
- Leopoldo Serran
Producers
- Lucy Barreto
The Quartet - FAQs
What is The Quartet about?
The Quartet follows two Italian immigrant couples — Teresa and Angelo, Pierina and Massimo — struggling to build new lives in Brazil. When Massimo and Teresa fall unexpectedly in love, they abandon their spouses and forge a new path together, defying family bonds and cultural tradition in a story of passion and moral complexity.
What does the title O Quatrilho mean?
O Quatrilho is the name of a traditional card game in which a player must betray their own partner to win. The title is a direct metaphor for the film's central drama: Massimo and Teresa's affair is framed as a calculated betrayal of their respective spouses in pursuit of personal happiness.
Is The Quartet based on a true story?
The Quartet is based on the acclaimed 1985 Brazilian novel O Quatrilho by José Clemente Pozenato. The novel is a work of fiction, though it draws richly on the historical experience of Italian immigrants who settled in the Serra Gaúcha region of southern Brazil in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Who are the main actors in The Quartet?
The Quartet stars Glória Pires as Pierina, Patricia Pillar as Teresa, Alexandre Paternost as Angelo, and Bruno Campos as Massimo. The supporting cast includes Gianfrancesco Guarnieri, José Lewgoy, Cecil Thiré, Cláudio Mamberti, Antonio Carlos Pires, and Arcangelo Zorzi.
Was The Quartet nominated for an Academy Award?
Yes. The Quartet was Brazil's official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 68th Academy Awards ceremony in 1996, and it earned a nomination in that category — a significant achievement that brought the film considerable international attention and recognition.
Where can you stream The Quartet?
The Quartet is available to stream on Film Movement Plus and the Film Movement Plus Amazon Channel. It can also be rented or purchased digitally through Amazon Video, making it accessible to viewers who prefer a transactional option rather than a subscription service.
Who directed The Quartet and who composed the score?
The Quartet was directed by Fábio Barreto, one of Brazil's most prominent filmmakers of the 1990s. The film's evocative score was composed by Caetano Veloso, the legendary Brazilian musician and cultural icon, whose music deepens the film's emotional and lyrical atmosphere considerably.
What genre is The Quartet and how long is it?
The Quartet is a Drama and Romance film with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. Set among Italian immigrant communities in early twentieth-century Brazil, it blends intimate character study with period atmosphere, exploring themes of desire, loyalty, and the cost of pursuing personal freedom.
More About The Quartet
Explore further details, credits, and data for The Quartet on these authoritative resources.