10 Movie-Inspired Music Videos by Brazilian Artists
We can all agree that a well-thought-out music video can often enhance or even completely change the feelings a song conveys typically. But what happens when said music video takes inspiration from full-length feature movies? Not only does it make for an even more entertaining art form, but it toys with the cultural references that have been previously engraved into the audience’s mind, increasing the impact and relatability the song might have on its listener. And lately, Brazilian artists have been taking their chances at this exciting way of creating art, using some of their favorite films to spruce up their music videos.
Sometimes the referenced movie has nothing to do with the song itself, simply serving as bait for the general audience who, perhaps, wouldn’t even give that artist a chance if it wasn’t for the cinematographic decoy. On the other hand, though, there may be references that fit the song just right, and then it becomes a gift to the audience that has the opportunity to enjoy the resultant performance.
Listed below, you will find a diverse array of music videos by Brazilian artists that have managed to incorporate different inspirations from the silver screen into their music videos, bringing the magic of cinema to your house — or your YouTube page.
IZA – “Gueto”
Brazilian diva IZA knows how to make an impact like no one else, and the music video for her song “Gueto,” along with the lyrics, is no exception. The piece is a tribute to the “ghetto” areas where the singer grew up; it represents her identity and many others who have come from the same places. The movie references aren’t as present in the scenarios as in her outfits (though you can pinpoint some Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing hints). IZA’s stylist Bianca Jahara told Vogue Brasil that some of her inspirations for the outfits seen throughout the music video were Cruella from 101 Dalmatians and Ruby Rhod from The Fifth Element.
Anitta – “Boys Don’t Cry”
Yes, the song is in English, but the artist is the multilingual Brazilian singer Anitta, who has been expanding her horizons and providing Brazil with some long-awaited mainstream representation in the international spotlight, as proven by her appearance on The Tonight Show where she performed “Boys Don’t Cry,” becoming the first Brazilian artist to ever perform on that program. The tune is an ironic little piece that makes fun of men for crying if they don’t get what they want. The music video, in turn, shows Anitta escaping from her zombified exes in scenarios that hint at movies such as Harry Potter, The Fifth Element, and Beetlejuice. If you enjoy ‘80s synth-pop and zombies, this one’s for you.
Jão – “Idiota”
“Idiota” by Jão is a tender song about enjoying love for as long as it lasts, even when you are aware it isn’t fully reciprocated. As the title suggests, the narrator sees himself as an idiot for it but is ultimately in-too deep to care. The music video recreates scenes from different romantic (and some tragic) movies, such as Titanic, Brokeback Mountain, 10 Things I Hate About You, Spider-Man, and the Brazilian classic Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos. Despite the melancholic lyrics, the upbeat rhythm and entertaining music video make for a fun experience.
Melára – “Efeito”
Coming in with the chill vibes is Melára, who has just recently released her first EP at the end of 2021. “Efeito” is a romantic and smooth tune that finds its roots in traditional MPB, which stands for Música Popular Brasileira, or Brazilian Popular Music. The music video is inspired by the French film Amélie, even recreating scenes from the movie, such as when Amélie dips her fingers into a sack of grain because it’s one of her favorite things to do. The original flick values the small pleasures in life, and this music video attempts to do the same in a beautiful homage.
Pedro Sampaio, Luisa Sonza – “Atenção”
I don’t know what you would expect from a music video inspired by the children’s classic Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, but I can guarantee this is not it. Producer and singer Pedro Sampaio partnered up with Luísa Sonza in this energetic Brazilian funk tune, providing us with excellent audiovisual entertainment as they twerk to the beat inside the famous chocolate factory. And the best part of it all is Deep Roy, the actor who played the Oompa Loompas in the 2005 movie adaptation, featured in the music video (and yes, he twerks too).
Duda Beat – “Meu Pisêro”
In “Meu Pisêro,” Duda Beat shows a different side of her: the touching song about a broken heart takes a sinister turn as the music video progresses. Having been inspired by classic horror movies, such as Suspiria, Poltergeist, Rosemary’s Baby, and Tarkovski’s Mirror, the video feels like a nightmare, which proves to be a brilliant metaphor for someone who’s had a broken heart and seeks to find a way to cope. Despite how heavy the description may seem, the music video also finds time to bring some humor to the screen, be it in the exaggerated performance the singer offers or the cartoonish special effects.
Marina Sena – “Por Supuesto”
Let’s make one thing clear: despite the title in Spanish, this song is in Portuguese. “Por Supuesto” is a mellow tune responsible for singer Marina Sena’s rise to stardom in Brazil. The catchy chorus and vibrant melody make it impossible not to hum along with the song whenever it plays, and we’re not complaining. The music video adds a new layer to the song as it takes clear visual inspiration from the classic American Beauty. However, I’d go as far as saying that you can spot some references to the Argentinian movie Relatos Salvajes, but that is just an opinion.
Luísa Sonza – “Braba”
Making her second appearance on this list, Luísa Sonza brings all her jazz (not really, but bear with me) to the screen in the music video for “Braba,” inspired by the Oscar-winning feature film Chicago. The sensual vibes of the song fit nicely along with a performance that references the movie’s arguably most famous tune, “Cell Block Tango.” Sonza is credited as creative director for the video, so it is fair to assume that the singer played an essential part in choosing the theme for it.
Wanessa Camargo – “LOKO!”
Perhaps the artist with the most extensive career in this list, Wanessa Camargo steps into the role of a vampiric dancer in the music video for “LOKO!” taking direct inspiration from the cult classic From Dusk Till Dawn, one of the most iconic works from director Robert Rodriguez. For maximum entertainment value, the singer even recreates the scene when Salma Hayek’s character dances with a snake and, yes, it ends up being an honorable tribute as Wanessa clearly gives it her all to deliver a solid dance performance.
Giulia Be – “2 Palabras”
Okay, now we have a song with a Spanish title that actually has lyrics in Spanish. With “2 Palabras,” Brazilian singer Giulia Be brings up the anguish of not admitting to the feelings of affection one feels. In a third-person narrative, she encourages a man to profess his love to the woman he has fallen for before it’s too late. The music video takes inspiration from the acclaimed film Closer, which focuses on four different characters navigating through life and their own emotions. And though wearing a blue wig instead of Natalie Portman’s iconic pink one, Giulia’s message isn’t any less effective.
