It was true and tough then, and it's true and tough now. The Northeast migrants condition while living in São Paulo (and they come here because this looks and feels as the place for opportunities, not to mention the richest state of the union), if we have to take a look back at this film, made in 1973, hasn't changed much though it can be said that the possibilities for a better future are less troubled due to several circumstances. The majority of migrants might not live on the street under a bridge, as the one main character from the documentary, but now they're all assembled in slums, favelas, ghettos and sometimes even popular housing programs of the government.
Now, the movie: not sure if 100% real or if the director injected a strange fiction in between but "Migrantes" is quite fascinating, it carries a great sense of reality, positively relevant. In it, the director interview a poor immigrant who came to São Paulo cause he couldn't find a decent sustain for his family in the Northeast countryside. In the middle of the interview, a well-dressed stranger comes to provide his view on the poor man's reality living under the bridge. And from there, we have a small debate of realities that despite the differences and the conflict of ideas, it never escalates to violence or heated arguments. They have the answers - and don't be fooled, even the homeless man has great points to share - but the questioning is thrown back at the us, the privileged, or even people who like the main character went through the same experience but managed to succeed. What does it take to win in this city? Is it possible? Is it worthy to leave the place you lived a great deal of your life (but doesn't offer you enough) to go to a strange place to find a possibility of a future? Would you ever come back if nothing happened there?
Slightly engaging but always thought-provoking, "Migrantes" is a diligent document about the many problems faced in this big city. Worthy as well because of its nostalgic values, specially for those who know São Paulo or lived during that period. The location featured here is right at the downtown of the city's capital, more precisely Parque Dom Pedro II. And though the exact point of the square/bridge isn't the home of another family, not far from there you can see several people living in this public space and there's even a shelter project behind that bridge now. 8/10