The story follows Zé do Burro, a humble farmer from the Brazilian Northeast. When his beloved donkey falls terminally ill, Zé makes a promise to a Saint: if the animal recovers, Zé will carry a heavy wooden cross on his back from his lands all the way to the Church of Saint Barbara in Salvador, Bahia.
: The film highlights the unique blend of Catholicism and African traditions in Brazilian culture, and the friction that occurs when institutional religion tries to "purify" folk faith. O.Pagador.de.Promessas.AKA.The.Given.Word.1962....
: It was the first Brazilian film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The story follows Zé do Burro, a humble