  cover art  Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures  Director: Marcelo
Gomes Cast: João Miguel, Peter Ketnath, Madalena Accioly, Jeane
Alves, Daniela Câmara  (Global Film Initiative; US DVD: 24 Jul
2007)  It is said that the road movie was born on the highways
and byways of North America.  From busy cross-country
interstates to sleepy backcountry lanes, the open road has
always been a strong cultural metaphor for the independence and
freedom so embedded in the ideal of wht is America. 
Transferring national fascination with the automobile to the
silver screen was a logical step in expanding the romantic myth
that surrounds Americans and their beloved cars.  As any driver
who has ever undertaken a long road trip knows, a certain
anxious myopia tends to set in and the endpoint soon becomes the
overwhelming focus of the entire journey.  It is often easy to
forget that there are other roads and different routes that will
lead you on your way.  The same can be said for road movies that
venture outside of the well-worn path