Amor Estranho Amor -love Strange Love- -1982- English Dubbed Awesome Movie Fix
Cinema’s Most Lavish Taboo: A Feature on Amor Estranho Amor (Love Strange Love, 1982)
There is a specific breed of cinema that defies conventional categorization, existing in a hazy twilight zone between high art, historical drama, and exploitative melodrama. Walter Hugo Khouri’s 1982 magnum opus, Amor Estranho Amor (Love Strange Love), is the undisputed king of this realm.
Often discovered through whispered recommendations and illicit late-night viewing, the English-dubbed version of this Brazilian classic has rightfully earned its reputation as an "awesome movie"—a mesmerizing, deeply uncomfortable, and undeniably hypnotic masterpiece of sensual cinema.
Here is a deep dive into what makes Love Strange Love an unforgettable experience.
The English Dub: A Campy, Hypnotic Charm
For many international viewers, the "English Dubbed" version is the definitive way to experience this film. While purists might argue for the original Portuguese, the English dub adds an entirely unique layer of surrealism to the proceedings.
The dubbed voices carry a distinctly vintage, slightly detached tone that perfectly matches the film’s dream-logic narrative. There is an inherent campiness to watching such intense, melodramatic sexual and political liaisons dubbed in stilted, theatrical English. It elevates the film from a standard foreign drama into a piece of midnight-movie magic, making the "strange love" feel even stranger.
The Plot: A Tapestry of Memory and Politics
The film opens in the present day, following Hugo (played as an adult by Maurício do Valle), a wealthy, disillusioned Brazilian politician driving through the countryside. When his car breaks down near an old, decaying brothel, he is flooded with memories of his childhood.
The narrative shifts back to 1937. Hugo is an 11-year-old boy sent to live at the lavish, palatial brothel run by the glamorous and authoritative Madame Ana (Zaira Zambelli). The twist? Hugo’s mother, a former prostitute herself, abandoned him there. Left to his own devices in this sprawling mansion of vice, Hugo becomes a silent observer—and eventually a participant—in the adult world around him.
He develops a profound, complex infatuation with the house’s most coveted courtesan, Olga (the breathtaking Vera Fischer). As Hugo navigates his burgeoning sexuality and the women navigate their own tragedies, the looming shadow of Brazilian politics—specifically the rise of a dictatorial regime—mirrors the corruption and transactional nature of the brothel.
Rediscovering the Forbidden: Why Amor Estranho Amor (1982) is the Strangest, Most Haunting Coming-of-Age Film You’ve Never Seen
There are obscure movies, and then there are legendarily obscure movies. And then, floating somewhere in the dark space between a fever dream and a repressed memory, sits Amor Estranho Amor (released in English as Love Strange Love).
If you’ve stumbled across this 1982 Brazilian film on a late-night cable rerun or a dusty VHS rip on YouTube, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you haven’t—buckle up. We need to talk about the English Dubbed version of this cinematic oddity, because it turns an already surreal experience into something utterly mesmerizing.
1. The Plot: A Surreal Memory
The film operates as a fever dream of memory. It opens with a man in his forties waiting for a woman in a park, triggering a flashback to his childhood. The story transports us to a high-end brothel in 1937 São Paulo, run by the elegant and distant Laura (played by the iconic Xuxa Meneghel). Cinema’s Most Lavish Taboo: A Feature on Amor
The protagonist, Hugo, is a 12-year-old boy left at the brothel by his wealthy grandmother. The film’s tension comes from Hugo's navigation of this adult world. He is not just a passive observer; he becomes an object of affection, rivalry, and curiosity for the women who live there. The "Strange Love" of the title refers to the blurred lines between maternal care, childhood innocence, and premature sexual awakening.
The "Xuxa" Factor: A Pop Star’s Controversial Origin
No discussion of Love Strange Love is complete without addressing the elephant in the room. The film features a brief, non-sexual role by a young Xuxa Meneghel, who would go on to become the highest-paid female TV host in Latin America and the "Queen of Children’s Television." In this film, Xuxa appears as a prostitute named Tamara. Because of the film’s heavy erotic themes and the fact that she was 17 during filming (legal in Brazil at the time), the movie has been mired in controversy. Xuxa herself has spent decades trying to suppress the film.
For fans of the English Dubbed version, this controversy adds a layer of forbidden mystique. Watching Xuxa—the same woman who would later wear pastel colors and sing to millions of children—dressed in 1930s lingerie, speaking stilted English lines, is a jarring piece of pop culture archaeology. It transforms the movie from simple erotica into a document of a strange cultural crossroads.
2. The Xuxa Factor
For international audiences, the biggest draw of the film is the presence of Xuxa Meneghel. Before she became the "Queen of Short Skirts"—the most famous children’s television host in Latin America and a pop culture icon—she played the sophisticated, sensual Laura.
This casting decision is the source of the film’s enduring notoriety. Years later, when Xuxa was a household name hosting children's shows, she famously attempted to buy the rights to the film to prevent its distribution. She wanted to bury Love Strange Love to protect her family-friendly image, but the courts ruled against her. This legal battle only cemented the movie’s status as a "forbidden fruit," making the dubbed VHS tapes highly sought-after collector's items.
Final Verdict
Amor Estranho Amor (Love Strange Love) is not a movie you "enjoy." It is a movie you survive. But the English dubbed version? That is a piece of cinematic anthropology. It captures a moment when Brazilian art house collided with American B-movie distribution, creating a mutant hybrid that is sleazy, sad, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable.
If you love strange cinema, forbidden love stories, or just want to hear the most awkward voice acting committed to film, track this down.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Five stars for weirdness, two for taste. Averages out to a perfect cult classic.)
Have you seen the English dub of Love Strange Love? Did you have nightmares? Tell me I’m not alone in the comments.
"Amor Estranho Amor" (also known as "Love Strange Love") is a 1982 Brazilian drama film directed by Arnaldo Jabor.
Here's a brief report:
Movie Information:
- Title: Amor Estranho Amor (Love Strange Love)
- Release Year: 1982
- Director: Arnaldo Jabor
- Country: Brazil
- Genre: Drama
Plot Summary:
The film revolves around a complex love triangle between a wealthy and powerful man, his wife, and their daughter. The story explores themes of desire, power, and the blurred lines between love and lust.
English Dubbed Version:
The English dubbed version of the film is available, which allows a wider audience to experience the movie.
Reception and Legacy:
"Amor Estranho Amor" received critical acclaim upon its release and is considered one of the notable films in Brazilian cinema. The movie's exploration of complex relationships and themes continues to resonate with audiences.
Availability:
The English dubbed version of "Amor Estranho Amor" is available for viewing through various online platforms or DVD/ streaming services that specialize in international films.
Would you like to know more about the film or is there something specific you'd like to explore further?
Amor Estranho Amor (Love, Strange Love) is a 1982 Brazilian erotic drama that gained international notoriety not just for its content, but for the decades-long legal battle led by its star, Xuxa Meneghel. Directed by Walter Hugo Khouri, it is often remembered as a "lost" or banned film in Brazil, though it remained available in other markets like the United States in English-dubbed and subtitled versions. 🎥 Film Profile Original Title: Amor Estranho Amor English Title: Love, Strange Love Release Year: 1982 Director: Walter Hugo Khouri Genre: Erotic Drama / Crime Drama Runtime: Approximately 120 minutes (unedited version) 🎭 Cast & Characters Title: Amor Estranho Amor (Love Strange Love) Release
Vera Fischer as Anna: A mother living in a high-class brothel.
Marcelo Ribeiro as Hugo: An 11-year-old boy sent to live with his mother.
Xuxa Meneghel as Tamara: A young prostitute who seduces the adolescent Hugo.
Tarcísio Meira as Osmar: An influential politician and brothel owner. 📜 Plot Summary
Amor Estranho Amor (also known as Love Strange Love 1982 Brazilian erotic drama
directed by Walter Hugo Khouri. It is widely recognized more for its legal controversies and the involvement of Brazilian icon Xuxa Meneghel than for its critical standing. 🎬 Movie Overview Original Title: Amor Estranho Amor Release Date: July 7, 1982 (Brazil) Walter Hugo Khouri
Vera Fischer, Tarcísio Meira, Xuxa Meneghel, and Marcelo Ribeiro Approximately 120 minutes
Original Portuguese; English dubbed/subtitled versions exist in rare formats 📜 Plot Summary
The story is framed as a memory of an older, influential man reflecting on a pivotal 48-hour period in 1937.
Final Verdict: A Dream You Can’t Shake
Amor Estranho Amor is not a movie for everyone. It is slow, uncomfortable, and asks difficult questions about the nature of consent and power. But for fans of arthouse sleaze, erotic thrillers, and international curiosities, the 1982 English Dubbed version is a holy grail. It is a time capsule of early 80s Brazilian cinema filtered through a bizarre, dubbed lens that makes everything feel simultaneously more foreign and more familiar.
If you have the stomach for its strange love, you will find an awesome movie—beautiful, tragic, and unforgettable. Track down the English dub, turn off the lights, and let the strange love take hold. Plot Summary: The film revolves around a complex
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 – Cult Classic Status) Watch if you like: The Night Porter, Story of O, Fellini’s Roma, or late-night Cinemax oddities.
Have you seen the English dub of Love Strange Love? Share your thoughts in the comments below—just be prepared for a strange discussion.
