Nelson Ayres

Movies

Zuza Homem de Jazz
Self
What is the influence of Jazz on Brazilian music and the influence of Brazilian music on Jazz? The documentary Zuza Homem de Jazz draws a parallel between the two universes, featuring the renowned Brazilian musicologist Zuza Homem de Mello as the protagonist. It offers an intimate look at the writer and music journalist and highlights his long connection with Jazz, that dates back to the 1950’s, when Zuza was a student at the Julliard School of Music. The film was also shot in New York, where Zuza meets old friends in the jazz circuit and revisits memorable stories.
Maria: Don't Forget I Come From the Tropics
Music
An examination of the relationship between the life and art of Maria Martins, now recognized as one of the greatest Brazilian sculptors, in addition to her engravings and texts. The film reveals the greatness of her work and her boldness when dealing directly with the feminine perspective of sexuality, a transgression that led to attacks by Brazilian critics. In parallel, her life as the wife of an important diplomat and her connection to Marcel Duchamp, in a relationship of mutual collaboration between the two artists.
Mônica Salmaso - Alma Lírica Ao Vivo
Pianista
Daquele Instante em Diante
Self (archive footage)
This film documents in depth the life and artistic trajectory of the musician and poet Itamar Assumpção. He was one of the pillars of a moment of Brazilian popular music that was conventionally called "Vanguarda Paulista". Starting from extensive research which resulted in more than 250h of images and a dive into the personal universe of this incredible artist, Itamar comes up with a poetic, intuitive plot where facts and testimonies speak louder than preconceived ideas.
Fake Blonde
Original Music Composer
Silmara, an industrial worker and a woman of exuberant beauty, supports her arsonist father and gets involved with two different pop stars, from whom she learns traumatic life lessons.
Confiscated Goods
Music Arranger
Betrayed wife of a powerful and corrupt Senator, turns him in, and his fraud schemes and lies are exposed. After one of his lovers commits suicide, he has his illegitimate son kidnapped and taken to a decadent seaside resort in the country's extreme southern coast. The Senator chooses another former lover to take care of his son, and the two of them become involved beyond that of a mother son relationship.
Confiscated Goods
Music Director
Betrayed wife of a powerful and corrupt Senator, turns him in, and his fraud schemes and lies are exposed. After one of his lovers commits suicide, he has his illegitimate son kidnapped and taken to a decadent seaside resort in the country's extreme southern coast. The Senator chooses another former lover to take care of his son, and the two of them become involved beyond that of a mother son relationship.
Equilíbrio e Graça
Music
A short film about the meeting of a Trappist monk and a Zen Buddhist master.
Amélia
Original Music Composer
Fictional story based on Sarah Bernhard's visit to Brazil in 1905. The actress, experiencing a personal and professional crisis at the time, is induced by her personal Brazilian maid, Amélia, to make a performance in Rio de Janeiro. After arriving, she is forced to stand the company of Amélia's exotic sisters.
Two Streams
Music Producer
Young executive woman returns to small town of Dois Córregos and remembers the time, in the late 1960s, when she met her uncle there, a man who was running away from the military dictatorship ruling Brazil at the time.
Two Streams
Music Arranger
Young executive woman returns to small town of Dois Córregos and remembers the time, in the late 1960s, when she met her uncle there, a man who was running away from the military dictatorship ruling Brazil at the time.