The film gained massive notoriety because of its cast—specifically Xuxa Meneghel
The English dubbed version of "Amor Estranho Amor" is available on various streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Vimeo. You can also purchase a DVD or Blu-ray copy of the film online.
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.
: The famous actress Vera Fischer gives an incredible performance as Hugo's mother. She perfectly portrays a woman caught between her love for her son and her life in a corrupt world. Her acting was so strong that she won the Best Actress Award at both the Festival de Brasília and the Air France Awards.
The performances, particularly by Vera Fischer (Anna) and Tarcísio Meira, anchor the film in a genuine sense of drama. The movie acts as a critique of patriarchal power structures and political opportunism, showing how vulnerable individuals are often used as currency in games played by the ruling class. Conclusion: A Cult Cinema Artifact The film gained massive notoriety because of its
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.
: For years, Brazilian TV host Xuxa Meneghel fought legally to prevent the film's distribution in Brazil to protect her image as a children's entertainer.
The story is told through a framing device. An adult Hugo looks back on a pivotal, intense week of his childhood. As a 12-year-old boy, Hugo is sent to live with his mother, Anna, in an upscale, exclusive brothel owned by a powerful politician.
My headline calls it an "Awesome Movie." Let me clarify: This isn't awesome like Die Hard . This is awesome in the biblical sense—inspiring awe and terror simultaneously. The film features a brief, non-sexual role by
Leading lady delivered a powerful performance as Anna, Hugo’s mother and the brothel’s reigning queen. Her role earned her the Best Actress Award at the 15th Festival de Brasília. The cast is rounded out by respected actors like Tarcísio Meira and Íris Bruzzi, lending an air of legitimacy to the otherwise explosive material.
: While political radicals plan to overthrow the government, Hugo is surrounded by enticing women who find his naivete charming.
The truth lies somewhere in between. Khouri frequently explored "cupiditas" (worldly, base desire) versus "caritas" (spiritual, pure love). In Love Strange Love , Hugo represents innocence trying to make sense of a corrupted world. The film never endorses the actions of the adults; instead, it observes them with cold, unnerving clarity. The final scene—where an elderly politician weeps alone—is a damning indictment of how power destroys the soul.
For international cult movie collectors, finding Amor Estranho Amor in an English-dubbed format adds another layer to the viewing experience. While international dubs of 1980s foreign films can sometimes result in detached or campy voice acting, the English dubbing of this movie retains much of the original's eerie, melodramatic tone. : The famous actress Vera Fischer gives an
a physical copy of this movie, or would you like to see a list of similar cult classics from the 80s?
However, unlike modern exploitation films, Love Strange Love is framed as a psychological drama about loss of innocence. It explores the idea that children understand more than adults assume. The "strange love" is the tragic realization that the safe, maternal love Hugo craves is unavailable to him in a transactional world.
Calling a movie filled with psychological manipulation "awesome" might seem strange, but Love Strange Love earns the title through pure craft.