The Unscrupulous Ones (1962)
A searing Brazilian Crime Drama from director Ruy Guerra, where greed and moral rot collide in a reckless blackmail scheme.
The Unscrupulous Ones - Movie Information
- Original Title: Os Cafajestes
- Release Year: 1962
- Directed by: Ruy Guerra
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Original Language: Portuguese
- Spoken Languages: Portuguese
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 24, 1962 (Brazil - 18), March 25, 1962 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: The Hustlers (US)
- Production Companies: Herbert Richers, Magnus Filmes
- Production Countries: Brazil
The Unscrupulous Ones - Plot
Upon learning that his rich dad is on the brink of bankruptcy, spoiled Vavá summons his friend Jandir with a plan to get some quick cash: they will blackmail an uncle of Vavá by taking compromising photos of his lover, Leda.
The Unscrupulous Ones - Trailer
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The Unscrupulous Ones - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ruy Guerra
Main Cast
- Norma Bengell
- Jece Valaão
- Daniel Filho
- Hugo Carvana
- Lucy de Carvalho
- Glauce Rocha
- Germana de Lamare
Writers
- Miguel Torres
- Ruy Guerra
Producers
- Jece Valaão
- Gerson Tavares
The Unscrupulous Ones - FAQs
What is The Unscrupulous Ones about?
The Unscrupulous Ones follows Vavá, a spoiled young man facing his father's financial ruin, who enlists his friend Jandir in a blackmail scheme targeting his uncle. They plan to photograph the uncle's lover, Leda, in compromising situations — a plot that spirals into moral corruption and exploitation.
Who directed The Unscrupulous Ones?
The Unscrupulous Ones was directed by Ruy Guerra, a Mozambican-born filmmaker who became a key figure in Brazil's Cinema Novo movement. The film is widely regarded as one of his most provocative early works, blending social critique with raw, unsentimental storytelling.
Is The Unscrupulous Ones part of Cinema Novo?
Yes, The Unscrupulous Ones is considered a landmark of Brazil's Cinema Novo movement, a wave of socially conscious filmmaking that emerged in the early 1960s. Ruy Guerra's film challenged bourgeois values and censorship norms, earning both controversy and critical admiration for its unflinching realism.
Who are the main actors in The Unscrupulous Ones?
The film stars Norma Bengell as Leda and Jece Valaão as Jandir, with Daniel Filho as Vavá, Hugo Carvana as the Photographer, Lucy de Carvalho as Vilma, Glauce Rocha, and Germana de Lamare rounding out the principal cast.
Why was The Unscrupulous Ones controversial upon release?
The film caused significant controversy in Brazil due to its bold depiction of female nudity and its unflinching portrayal of male predatory behavior. Brazilian censors initially sought to restrict it, but the film ultimately became a celebrated example of Cinema Novo's willingness to confront social and moral taboos head-on.
When was The Unscrupulous Ones released?
The Unscrupulous Ones was released on March 24, 1962 in Brazil and on March 25, 1962 in the United States. The film is also known by the alternative US title The Hustlers and its original Portuguese title Os Cafajestes.
What genre is The Unscrupulous Ones?
The Unscrupulous Ones is a Drama and Crime film. It combines the moral ambiguity of crime cinema with the socially engaged, realist aesthetic of Brazil's Cinema Novo movement, exploring themes of greed, exploitation, and the corruption lurking beneath upper-class Brazilian society.
What are similar films to The Unscrupulous Ones?
Viewers who enjoy The Unscrupulous Ones may also appreciate Barren Lives (1963), In a Lonely Place (1950), People on Sunday (1930), The Cement Garden (1993), and From Here to Eternity (1953) — films that share its themes of moral ambiguity, social realism, and complex human relationships.
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