On November 13-14, 2024, the Brazil LAB hosted renowned filmmaker Antonio Pitanga and celebrated actress Camila Pitanga for the U.S. premiere of Malês. The film, directed by Antonio Pitanga, vividly depicts the struggles of Black men and women in 19th-century Bahia.

The film focuses on the Malês Revolt of 1835, the largest organized uprising of enslaved people in Brazilian history. Led by Muslim Africans during Ramadan, the rebellion mobilized enslaved and free Black communities in Salvador to challenge the institution of slavery. The film, with a script by Manuela Dias and cinematography by Pedro Farkas, features an impressive cast including Rocco and Camila Pitanga, Bukassa Kabengele, and Patricia Pillar.

Brazil LAB Affiliate João José Reis (Federal University of Bahia) served as a consultant for the film, which interweaves historical characters such as Anuna (Rodrigo dos Santos) and Manuel Calafate (Bukassa Kabengele) with fictional portrayals of individuals embodying the era’s social realities, such as Sabina (Camila Pitanga) and Dassalu (Rocco Pitanga).

The screening drew a standing-room-only crowd. A discussion with Antonio and Camila Pitanga followed on November 14. Featuring historians João José Reis and Isadora Moura Mota and moderated by Miqueias Mugge, the conversation explored the limitations of traditional historical narratives in addressing slavery, the role of Afro-Brazilian religions in resistance movements, and the transformative power of cinema in confronting racism and reshaping education in Brazil. The audience explored how Malês offers a Brazilian story with universal implications, bridging history and art to inspire dialogue and change.