Amor Estranho Amor Love Strange Love 1982 English Dubbed Awesome Movie Best May 2026
When people call Love Strange Love the best in its niche category, they are not being hyperbolic. Here is what sets it apart:
For non-Portuguese speakers, the 1982 English dubbed version is a revelation. While purists often sneer at dubbing, this particular English dub has become legendary for several reasons:
If you want the best experience of Love Strange Love, the English dubbed version is the definitive cult artifact. It transforms a serious Brazilian art film into a glorious piece of midnight movie insanity.
Before she became a household name in Brazilian telenovelas, Vera Fischer was Miss Brazil (1969) and an international symbol of beauty. In Love Strange Love, she plays Laura with an unnerving blend of maternal warmth and predatory calculation. She is the axis around which the film’s moral universe spins. Watching her in the English dub, you forget you’re watching a translation—her eyes do all the speaking.
To call Amor Estranho Amor one of the best strange love movies requires context. It is not a romance. It is a horror movie disguised as a drama. Here’s why it stands with films like The Blue Lagoon, Picnic at Hanging Rock, or The Night Porter:
So, is Amor Estranho Amor (Love Strange Love) an awesome movie? Yes. Is it the best strange love film ever made? It is certainly one of the most unforgettable.
The 1982 English dubbed version transforms a difficult Brazilian art film into a global cult phenomenon. It is a movie that will crawl under your skin and stay there. Pin it, shame it, or praise it—you cannot ignore it. For fans of the weird, the forbidden, and the visually sublime, this is gold.
Don’t watch it with your parents. Do watch it with an open mind. And remember: love is strange. Especially in 1982, especially in Brazil, and especially when it’s dubbed into English.
Have you seen the English dubbed version of Amor Estranho Amor? Share your thoughts with fellow cult movie fans below. And if you want more deep dives into forgotten VHS treasures, subscribe to our newsletter.
Amor Estranho Amor (known internationally as Love Strange Love ) is a 1982 Brazilian erotic drama written and directed by Walter Hugo Khouri
. Set in 1937 São Paulo, the film explores themes of memory, political upheaval, and the sexual awakening of a young boy. Plot Summary
The story is framed as a memory of Hugo, an adult man who returns to his family home and recalls a pivotal 48-hour period from his childhood. At 12 years old, Hugo is sent by his grandmother to live with his mother, Anna ( Vera Fischer
), who resides in a luxurious mansion that serves as a high-class brothel for powerful politicians.
As Hugo navigates this environment, he becomes the center of attention for the resident women, most notably Tamara ( Xuxa Meneghel
), a young woman brought to the house to entertain a wealthy diplomat. The film culminates in Hugo's initiation into manhood, occurring just as Brazil undergoes major political shifts following the 1937 coup. Production and Cast When people call Love Strange Love the best
If you're looking for the 1982 film "Amor Estranho Amor" (often titled Love Strange Love in English), finding a "proper" version can be difficult due to its long history of censorship and legal battles. Movie Overview
Directed by Walter Hugo Khouri, this Brazilian erotic drama follows an adult man reminiscing about 48 pivotal hours in 1937 when, as a 12-year-old, he visited his mother in an upscale brothel. The film stars Vera Fischer and Xuxa Meneghel and has a reputation for its controversial subject matter. Dubbed vs. Subtitled Versions
The "best" way to watch this movie depends on your preference for audio quality:
English Dubbed: There is an existing English-dubbed version that originally appeared on VHS. However, many viewers find the dubbing to be of poor quality. It is sometimes available as an unrated/uncut DVD-R from specialty sites like J4HI .
English Subtitled: For a more authentic experience, many collectors prefer the original Portuguese audio with English subtitles. This version is available through retailers like DVD Lady . Where to Find It
Because its distribution was prohibited in Brazil for many years (partly due to a lawsuit by star Xuxa Meneghel), it is rarely found on mainstream streaming platforms.
Specialty Retailers: You can often find physical DVD copies or imports on sites specializing in rare or "exploitation" cinema.
Video Hosting Sites: Occasionally, full versions or long clips are uploaded to platforms like Dailymotion or OK.RU by users.
For a look at the film's style and some behind-the-scenes context, you can watch this review:
The story behind Amor Estranho Amor (1982) is famous less for its plot and more for its decades-long legal battle and the involvement of a major celebrity.
Set in 1937 Brazil, the film follows 12-year-old Hugo, who is sent to live with his mother in a high-class brothel. The story is told through flashbacks as an adult Hugo returns to the now-abandoned mansion to relive his sexual awakening, including a controversial encounter with a young woman named Tamara. The Real-World Controversy
The film's "interesting story" lies in its censorship history: The Xuxa Connection : Tamara was played by Xuxa Meneghel
, who was then a rising 19-year-old model. A few years later, she became Brazil's most famous children's TV host, the "Queen of the Little Ones". The 30-Year Ban
: To protect her wholesome image, Xuxa fought a fierce legal battle for decades to keep the film out of circulation in Brazil. For roughly 30 years, it was effectively banned in its home country, becoming a legendary "forbidden" movie. The Legal Victory If you want the best experience of Love
: In 2017, the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court finally ruled that the lawsuit was unfounded, lifting the ban. The film finally made its Brazilian television debut in 2021. Availability
While it was hard to find for years, the film was released on DVD in the United States in 2005. It is known internationally by its English title, Love Strange Love director Walter Hugo Khouri and his other surreal films, or are you looking for a specific platform to watch this movie?
Is Amor Estranho Amor the "
Amor Estranho Amor (English title: Love Strange Love) is a 1982 Brazilian erotic drama that remains famous for its intense controversy and rare English-dubbed versions. Key Movie Details Director: Walter Hugo Khouri.
Cast: Stars Vera Fischer, Tarcísio Meira, and the future Brazilian children's show host Xuxa Meneghel.
Plot: A man reminisces about his childhood discovery of sexuality while living in a luxury brothel run by his mother in 1930s Brazil.
Controversy: The film was famously banned in Brazil for years (1991–2018) due to scenes involving sexual themes with an 11-year-old child actor. English Availability
While the original language is Portuguese, you can find English options through specialized retailers:
English Dubbing: Existing VHS and specialized DVD versions from retailers like J4HI feature English dubbing, though some reviewers on IMDb describe the dub quality as "atrocious".
English Subtitles: If you prefer the original audio, versions with English subtitles are available at sites like DVD Lady. Love Strange Love (1982) - IMDb
The 1982 Brazilian film Amor Estranho Amor (Love, Strange Love) remains one of the most controversial and discussed pieces of cinema in Latin American history. Directed by Walter Hugo Khouri, the film gained international notoriety not just for its provocative themes, but for the decades-long legal battle led by its star, Xuxa Meneghel, to prevent its distribution. Plot Overview: A Journey into Memory
The story is told through the eyes of an adult Hugo (Walter Forster), a middle-aged politician who returns to a mansion in São Paulo that served as a high-class brothel during his childhood.
The Setting: In 1937, a young Hugo (Marcelo Ribeiro) is sent to live with his mother, Anna (Vera Fischer), who is a favorite at the luxurious establishment owned by an influential politician, Dr. Osmar (Tarcísio Meira).
The Conflict: Hugo is thrust into a world of adult sexuality and political intrigue. While his mother attempts to shield him, the other resident "girls" find the boy's innocence enchanting and begin to toy with his curiosity. Have you seen the English dubbed version of
The Core Controversy: The film features scenes where adult women, most notably Tamara (Xuxa Meneghel), engage in erotic situations with the 12-year-old Hugo. Cast and Creative Team
The film featured some of the biggest names in Brazilian cinema at the time:
Vera Fischer (Anna): Her performance as Hugo’s mother earned her the Best Actress award at the Festival de Brasília.
Xuxa Meneghel (Tamara): Then a young model, Xuxa would later become "The Queen of Children," hosting a world-famous TV show. This role stood in stark contrast to her later persona, leading to her extensive legal efforts to suppress the film.
Marcelo Ribeiro (Hugo): The child actor who played Hugo. He later detailed his experiences in a book and interviews, noting that the set was mystical and the scenes were filmed with professional care. The Legal Legacy and Availability
For decades, the film was practically impossible to find in Brazil due to judicial injunctions. Xuxa eventually lost her lawsuits against Google and other entities to filter search results for the movie.
While it was banned for sale and marketing in Brazil, it was released on DVD in the United States in 2005. Fans and collectors looking for an English experience often seek out the English Subtitled DVD as official "English dubbed" versions are extremely rare or non-existent in modern retail. Critical Reception: "Awesome Movie" or "Dull Story"? Viewer opinions on Amor Estranho Amor are deeply divided:
Amor Estranho Amor (also known as Love Strange Love), released in 1982, is one of the most talked-about and controversial cult classics in Brazilian cinema history. Directed by Walter Hugo Khouri, the film blends an erotic coming-of-age story with a backdrop of political upheaval in 1930s Brazil. The Story: A Flashback to 1937
The film follows Hugo, an adult politician who returns to an abandoned mansion from his past. Through his memories, we see 12-year-old Hugo sent to live with his mother, Anna (played by Vera Fischer), in a high-class, luxurious brothel that serves powerful political figures.
As the government faces a coup, young Hugo experiences a confusing and intense sexual awakening. He is surrounded by enticing women who find his naivete charming—including a character named Tampa, played by a young Xuxa Meneghel. Why Is It a Cult Classic?
The Xuxa Controversy: This movie became legendary because Xuxa, who later became Brazil’s most beloved children's TV host ("Queen of the Shorties"), fought for decades to keep the film out of circulation due to her provocative role.
Atmospheric Directing: Unlike many 80s erotic films, Khouri focuses on a "thinking film" aesthetic with opulent settings and a moody, psychological tone.
Award-Winning Performance: Vera Fischer won the Best Actress award at the 15th Festival de Brasília for her nuanced portrayal of Anna. Watching the English Dubbed Version
While the original Portuguese version captures the intended atmosphere, the English dubbed version—often titled Love Strange Love—is a fascinating way to experience this rare gem. Видео Love Strange Love (1982) | OK.RU