Love Strange Love

An adult narrator returns to a moment that shaped him, replaying a forty-eight hour period from his youth when he was taken to a bordello where his mother lived as the favored companion of a prominent politician. The film focuses on that compressed span as the boy observes the adults around him, experiences illicit encounters, and becomes aware of desire and shame amid the house's tense rituals. Set against the approaching political shifts of 1937 Brazil, the story is told as memory rather than a straight sequence of events, so the atmosphere and small details matter more than plot mechanics, and the film keeps its revelations internal rather than sensational.

Released in 1982, Love Strange Love was directed by Walter Hugo Khouri and features Marcelo Ribeiro, Vera Fischer, Tarcísio Meira, Íris Bruzzi, and Xuxa in supporting roles, reflecting Khouri's continued interest in intimate, character driven dramas from Brazilian society.

The film generated controversy beyond its initial run because of its sexual subject matter and the later public profile of one cast member, who objected to the film's circulation years after it premiered. That dispute has kept the title in public discussion and shaped how new audiences encounter the movie.

Critics were divided, with some noting the film's atmospheric period detail and its morally uneasy tone, while others criticized its handling of a child character in sexual situations. Viewers and reviewers tend to focus on themes of power, erotic curiosity, and the intersection of personal life with political influence, rather than on tidy moral answers.

Love Strange Love did not make a major splash on the international awards circuit, and its festival presence was limited. Any recognition it received was overshadowed by debates about content and distribution, which have influenced its legacy more than trophies or prizes.