The last line of the English dub, spoken by an older, unseen narrator (presumably Hugo as an adult), lands like a stone dropped into a deep well:
Reviewers on IMDb often describe the English dubbing as poor or "atrocious," suggesting the native language version is superior for preserving the film's intended mood.
(Tampa): Plays a prostitute who passes herself off as a virgin to customers.
In the world of obscure and provocative cinema, few films have garnered a reputation as wild, controversial, and strangely alluring as the 1982 Brazilian erotic drama Known in English as "Love Strange Love," this film has become a legendary talking point for fans of bizarre cinema, and its English-dubbed version has become a sought-after treasure for collectors. Beneath its notorious exterior lies a stylish coming-of-age story that, for better or worse, has cemented its place as a unique piece of film history.
For years, her legal team successfully blocked the commercial distribution, broadcast, and home video release of the film in Brazil. This forced suppression turned Amor Estranho Amor into a legendary "forbidden film," causing its cult status to skyrocket globally as tape-traders and early internet users hunted for rare bootleg copies. The legal restrictions were finally lifted in the late 2010s, allowing audiences to view the film objectively as a piece of historical cinema rather than a forbidden artifact. Finding the Best Version: The Hunt for the English Dub
For years, Love Strange Love was the ultimate "lost film," a mythical piece of Brazilian pop culture that could only be found via grainy torrents or sketchy file-sharing sites under the title "Amor Estranho Amor 1982 English dubbed awesome movie best." Now that it is finally being re-discovered by new audiences, its legend only grows. Is it a good movie? Critics say no, calling it boring and laughable. Is it a great movie? For fans of bizarre, controversial, and utterly unique cinema, . It’s an experience: a mishmash of beautiful cinematography, an atrocious yet hilarious English dub, a pre-fame bizarre performance from a children's icon, and a taboo plot that must be seen to be believed. It is the kind of movie you can't stop talking about. It is weird, wonderful, and will leave you with only one feeling: that is one strange, strange love.
The story revolves around a wealthy and influential businessman, Helmut (played by Wladimir Cirri), who has a complex and disturbing relationship with his daughter, Marta (played by Cláudia Cristina). The film explores themes of incest, power dynamics, and the psychological effects of their taboo relationship.
The film follows Hugo, a man who returns to his family’s former estate and recalls a pivotal period in 1937. As a young boy, he was sent to live in a luxurious brothel owned by his mother. The narrative is a lush, atmospheric, and deeply melancholic exploration of the loss of innocence set against a backdrop of political upheaval in Brazil. The Controversy and the "Xuxa" Connection
Love Strange Love ( Amor Estranho Amor ) is a time capsule from a different era of cinema, a period piece that is truly a "strange love." It is not a film for everyone due to its pacing and controversial themes. But for collectors, fans of international erotic cinema, or anyone morbidly curious about the intersection of art and exploitation, finding the English dubbed version is an adventure.
Because the film features highly provocative and sensual scenes involving her character and the 12-year-old Hugo, Xuxa spent decades executing a massive legal campaign to suppress the movie. For years, she successfully blocked the commercial distribution, broadcast, and home video release of Amor Estranho Amor in Brazil. This legal lockdown created a massive "Streisand Effect"—the harder the star fought to bury the film, the more sought-after and mythologized it became among cult movie collectors. The legal restrictions were finally lifted in the late 2010s, allowing audiences to view the film objectively within its proper historical context. Cinematic Merit: More Than Just Scandal
You cannot discuss Amor Estranho Amor without addressing the elephant in the room: the decades-long legal battle surrounding it.
For a more authentic experience, many collectors prefer the original Portuguese audio with English subtitles. This version is available through retailers like DVD Lady . Where to Find It
Let’s be blunt: This film features a minor actor (Marcelo Ribeiro, who was 14 during filming) in sexually suggestive scenes with adult women. While no explicit sexual act is shown (the film relies on suggestion and editing), the intent is clear. The movie was banned in Brazil for over a decade after the 1980s “Boca do Lixo” (Mouth of Garbage) cinema crackdown. Many critics call it indefensible. Others argue it is a serious, if disturbing, art film about abuse—not an endorsement of it.
Over time, "Amor Estranho Amor" has gained a certain cult following and is now regarded as a significant work in Brazilian cinema. The film provides a glimpse into the country's social and cultural landscape of the 1980s, particularly in regards to the lives of the wealthy and powerful.
The request specifically mentions the "English dubbed" version.
But a boy cannot be caged.
Far from being mere exploitation, the film is a beautifully shot, psychologically complex drama. It explores memory, innocence, and the corrupting nature of adult society. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of why this movie has earned its reputation as an essential cult classic. The Plot: A Haunting Coming-of-Age Story
at the 15th Festival de Brasília and received the Air France Award for her performance. Plot Summary
The English dub is a central part of the cult viewing experience. It was produced for the VHS release, which was later pulled from circulation, making copies scarce. The scarcity of the English version fuels its mystique.
