If you’re a fan of obscure, controversial arthouse cinema—think Salo meets The Blue Lagoon in a Brazilian bordello—you need to see this. It’s not "fun" or "sexy." It’s disturbing, sad, and weirdly beautiful. The English dub makes it accessible and adds a unique flavor you won’t get from the original Portuguese.
In the vast, shadowy archives of international cinema, certain films languish in obscurity not because they lack artistic merit, but because they are simply too provocative, too strange, or too misunderstood for the mainstream. Amor Estranho Amor (released in English as Love Strange Love ) is the poster child for this phenomenon. Directed by Walter Hugo Khouri and released in 1982, this Brazilian psychological drama has enjoyed a bizarre, second-life renaissance thanks to collectors, curious cinephiles, and fans of cult oddities. And for those who have tracked down the elusive version, the experience is nothing short of hypnotic.
When stripped of its tabloid notoriety, Amor Estranho Amor stands as a technically proficient and well-acted piece of cinema. Walter Hugo Khouri was a master of capturing internal human existential dread, a trait that shines through the film's dreamlike pacing and moody atmosphere. If you’re a fan of obscure, controversial arthouse
: The film follows Hugo as he is sent to live with his mother, Anna ( Vera Fischer ), in a luxurious brothel frequented by powerful politicians.
was originally filmed in Portuguese, collectors and cult film enthusiasts often seek out dubbed versions or high-quality subtitled cuts. Because the ban was only recently lifted in 2017 In the vast, shadowy archives of international cinema,
Hugo’s mother, Anna, is the mistress of a powerful politician. She moves Hugo into a luxurious, upscale brothel that her lover manages. Left to wander this opulent but corrupt environment, Hugo is forced into a premature awakening of adult sexuality, morality, and desire.
The film’s legacy is inextricably linked to the fame of its cast, particularly , who was a leading star in Brazil, and Xuxa Meneghel , who later became an iconic children's television host. The film became the subject of long-standing legal battles in Brazil, as Xuxa sought to prevent its distribution for many years due to its controversial nature and its potential impact on her later image. And for those who have tracked down the
Good luck. Love Strange Love has been banned in several countries and heavily censored in others. The uncut English dubbed version is the holy grail for collectors of "Video Nasties" and Brazilian cult cinema.