Movies Similar to Carnaval 78 - Preparativos da Unidos de Bangu

Filhos de João, O Admirável Mundo Novo Baiano(2011)

A panorama of Brazilian popular music from the 60s and 70s through the musical group Novos Baianos. A retrospective of the community lifestyle adopted by its members and the influence inherited from singer João Gilberto.

Carnaval Claudia Leitte: We Can Do It!(2021)

Artesanato do Samba(1974)

The making of the samba school parades, with the construction of the great cars, the decorations being spread all over the city and the hand-crafted tailoring of the costumes by apt hands that stitch together colourful and glowing materials.

A King Like Me(2024)

Follows members of the Zulu Club, New Orleans’ first Black Mardi Gras, as they work to bring the Zulu parade back to the streets for Mardi Gras Day 2022, in the face of a global pandemic, hurricane Ida and the loss of members due to COVID and gun violence.

Vivencial I(1974)

Short by Jomard Muniz de Britto

This Is Bate Bola (Somos Melhor Que Tem)(2019)

On the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro during its world famous Carnival, far from the beach and the touristic clichés, there is an explosive contest between neighbourhoods. This old form of carnival features teams of futuristic gladiators that are a surreal mixture of play and menace. A tradition that has its roots in ancient European carnival traditions and in African rituals, they look like visitors from another planet.

La casa del Carnaval

Trans and queer communities shaped carnival traditions in the Canary Islands, exploring their historical role in developing costumes, performances, and celebrations that define the region's festive identity.

Sou Carnaval de São Salvador(2019)

O Mundo de Arlindo(2022)

The documentary talks a little about the carnival experience that Arlindo Rodrigues had during his more than 25 years of artistic life.

A Raça Síntese de Joãosinho Trinta(2009)

Nossa Escola de Samba(1965)

A year in the life of a samba school, from the first rehearsals to the parade on the avenue.

Los pueblos dormidos (por la Quebrada de Humahuaca)(1947)

Documentary about the kolla people living in North Western Argentina.

82 Minutos(2015)

O Carnaval é de Pelé(2025)

This short film follows Pelé, a retired nurse who looks back on his time as a Mateus in the century-old Bumba Meu Boi group, Boi Tira-Teima. As he builds a new boi for the festival, he revisits the defining moments of his journey as a performer, carnival artist, and son of Mestre Gerson, the group’s former patriarch. The film explores how the way we carry our memories of the past shapes who we become in the present.

Heirs

Herdeiros (Heirs) is a documentary about samba, about carnival, about the power of a resistant tradition. Shot in Morro da Serrinha in Rio, the film tells the story of the cultural and musical heritage, of the African heritage of formerly enslaved people in Brazil today.

Carnaval de Malmédy(1928)

Short silent documentary on Carnaval at Malmédy, Belgium.

Memória em Verde e Rosa(2016)

The Mangueira slum is the scenario where Tantinho and the old samba composers remember stories about the slums and samba.

I am the Samba(2025)

Documentary about the rise and fall of Leandro de Itaquera Samba School, a cultural organization from São Paulo east end that had a major role during the profissionalization of Carnival competition in the city.

Testament of the Donkey

Documentary exploring the Carnaval de Laza, its ancient traditions and modern practitioners.

Cesta za tancem(2021)