Marcelo Machado’s lively and informative 2012 documentary Tropicalia features rare footage of Brazilian music legends Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Os Mutantes, Gal Costa and Tom Zé as it explores a revolution animated by music and art. Mixing traditional Brazilian and African rhythms with contemporary psychedelic experimentation and the avant-garde, the 1960’s tropicália movement celebrated free expression in reaction and opposition to an atmosphere of increasing social and cultural oppression. As a military dictatorship took hold of Brazil, artists were among the front line of resistance and many were forced to leave the country or face death.

Tropicalia may not be definitive but it sure as shit is important and vital.