No discussion of Love Strange Love is complete without acknowledging its legendary controversy. For decades, the film was suppressed, and the reason centers on Xuxa. After becoming a beloved children's TV host, she was repeatedly attacked for her participation in the film, leading her to take legal action to remove it from circulation for almost 30 years.
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 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.
Whether viewed in its original Portuguese to appreciate Khouri’s true directorial vision, or tracked down via a rare English-dubbed vintage release, the film provides a compelling look into a turbulent era of Brazilian history and the complex nature of human memory. No discussion of Love Strange Love is complete
Performances and direction
At the time of filming, Xuxa was a 17-year-old model. She was convinced to take the role of the teenage prostitute Tamara by her then-boyfriend, the legendary footballer Pelé. Xuxa would later become the "Queen of the Little Ones" ("Rainha dos Baixinhos") as the beloved host of a massive children's television program. The contrast between her wholesome, kid-friendly persona and her explicit role in Love Strange Love was a major source of scandal. Amor Estranho Amor is not a movie for everyone
One of the primary reasons for the film's enduring notoriety is the presence of Xuxa Meneghel, who would later become Brazil's most beloved children's television host. Her appearance in the film became a point of intense legal contention for decades. Xuxa fought a long-standing court battle to prevent the film’s distribution and broadcast, fearing it would damage her "Queen of the Children" image. This legal "forbidden fruit" status only served to increase interest in the movie, turning it into a cult phenomenon among international cinephiles and collectors.
While the film was heavily suppressed in its native country for years, international audiences have frequently sought out rare versions, including the elusive English-dubbed cut. Decades after its initial release, Amor Estranho Amor stands as a fascinating, beautifully shot piece of psychological cinema that is often misunderstood due to the sensationalism surrounding it. The Plot: A Coming-of-Age Story Set in Turbulent Times It is a time capsule of early 80s
Hugo’s mother, the stunning and seductive Anna (Vera Fischer), is the house’s most prized courtesan and the lover of the influential Dr. Osmar (Tarcísio Meira). As a coup is being plotted in the main rooms, Hugo, confined to his quarters to protect his innocence, is relentlessly teased and pursued by the bevy of beautiful, lustful prostitutes.
It is a movie about the collision of innocence and experience, set against a backdrop of gorgeous set design and political turmoil. It is a psychosexual fever dream that dares to push boundaries, leaving the viewer simultaneously entranced by its beauty and bewildered by its audacity.
This article explores the film's mesmerizing plot, the talented cast that brought it to life, the intriguing story behind its English dub, and the powerful legacy that earned it the title of an "Awesome Movie."
The English dubbed version often features a slightly tighter edit than the original Portuguese cut, trimming some of the slower philosophical monologues in favor of visual storytelling. This makes the 1982 English Dubbed release arguably the most re-watchable version for modern audiences.