The Flesh Itself (A Própria Carne)

Set during the gruelling Paraguayan War between 1864 and 1870 that involved an attack by three countries and cost the lives of 100s of thousands. Desertion is a death sentence, and three men have decided to take the risk.

Gustavo (Jorge Guerreiro), Gabriel (Pierre Baitelli), and Anselmo (George Sauma) murder a Colonel, then stash their uniforms and weapons. Now disguised as civilians but having to make up an elaborate lie to cover for Gustavo’s leg wound the come across a large complex of buildings.

They persuade Fazendeiro (Luiz Carlos Persy) the owner to let them stay having come up with a cock and bull story that he sees through very quickly. Nevertheless he sees some value in letting them stay. Also, the soldiers sense that Gustavo and the woman with him Garota (Jade Mascarenhas) are hiding something. Their mind set is on money.

Directed by Ian SBF, cowritten with Alexandra Ottoni and Deive Pazos, The Flesh Itself is an intense psychological film that doesn’t shy away from the horror of war nor its capacity to dehumanise those involved. The violence is unpleasant but Gustavo’s agony when Fazendeiro cuts off his infected leg is palpable.

The three men are clearly traumatised by what they have done and now know what they are capable of. They underestimated Fazendeiro who over a meal in a long scene where he dissects them, their motives and character.

It’s in these quieter scenes when the men open up. Gustavo a freed slave yet knowing he will never be accepted by society. Anselmo appears to be from wealthy family and is one of those for whom there’s never enough. Gabriel is attracted to Garota and a crude encounter leaves her pregnant after one night, the scars on her belly suggest she’s been here before.

With all the cruelty and self-interest between the characters is easy to overlook that almost every room in the house padlocked with occult symbols. The obvious deduction is the old man has something very unpleasant imprisoned on the property.

The Flesh Itself had its UK premiere at Tubi FrightFest London 2026.