Love, Strange Love is a controversial Brazilian drama film, written and directed by Walter Hugo Khouri. It was originally released in 1982 under the title "Amor Estranho Amor".
The film's plot follows a man named Hugo, who as an adult looks back on a pivotal moment in his childhood. In 1937, then 15-year-old Hugo (played by Marcelo Ribeiro) is sent by his father to visit his mother, Raquel (Vera Fischer), who owns a high-class brothel in Rio de Janeiro. The brothel is visited by influential men, including the powerful Dr. Osmar Passos (TarcÃsio Meira), who is a patron and Raquel's lover.
During his stay, Hugo becomes enamored with the beautiful and nurturing Raquel, who treats him like a son. However, he also becomes curious about the sexual activities happening around him. He witnesses various encounters between the prostitutes and their clients, including a provocative scene involving a young girl.
Over the course of 48 hours, Hugo experiences a sexual awakening as he grapples with conflicting feelings of desire, guilt, and confusion about his own identity. He also witnesses the secret political dealings of Dr. Passos, who is involved in a conspiracy against the government.
Years later, as an adult, Hugo (played by Fernando Ramos da Silva) seeks out Raquel and confronts her about the impact of their time together. As they reconnect, Hugo realizes the full extent of his feelings for Raquel and the profound effect she had on his life.
Love, Strange Love was heavily censored upon its release in Brazil due to its controversial themes and sexual content involving a minor. The film was banned for a decade and remains a divisive work in Brazilian cinema. However, it has also been hailed as a landmark film for its bold exploration of taboo subjects and its unflinching portrayal of human sexuality.