Pinto do Monteiro

Filmmakers Cláudio Assis and Lírio Ferreira go on a journey through the frontier between the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba, Brazil, to show the importance poetry holds in local culture.

Documentary about popular art manifestations in Northeast Brazil: the "cordel" literature (popular literature, small stories sold in markets); "repente", kind of musical challenge between two singers, who have to improvise the verses, in strict rhyme; and the interaction between these and local popular song.

In May 1969 at Tres Irmãos Farm, Caruaru, PE: Lourival Batista and Severino Pinto, two singers by profession, meet for a challenge. This film documents some moments of the Cantoria.