The film's exploration of "fake news" (represented by the sensationalist journalists) and the dangers of religious extremism feels remarkably contemporary. Anselmo Duarte’s direction, combined with the powerful performance of Leonardo Villar as Zé, ensures that The Given Word remains a masterpiece of empathy and social commentary.
The conflict arises when Zé arrives at the church. The local priest, Father Olavo, refuses him entry because Zé’s promise was made at a Candomblé yard (an Afro-Brazilian religious site). This setup serves as a biting critique of religious intolerance and the rigid, often hypocritical nature of institutional authority. O.Pagador.de.Promessas.AKA.The.Given.Word.1962....
The story follows Zé do Burro, a humble farmer from the Brazilian Northeast. When his beloved donkey falls terminally ill, Zé makes a promise to a Saint: if the animal recovers, Zé will carry a heavy wooden cross on his back from his lands all the way to the Church of Saint Barbara in Salvador, Bahia. The film's exploration of "fake news" (represented by