This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

"Ganga Zumba" is, to this very day, one of the greatest films ever made about slavery and the formation of African-based cultures on the Americas. Its brutally honest and poetic style are drenched in respect and admiration for the African people, in a nostalgic, hopeful way.It's unfortunate that director Carlos Diegues went on to produce increasingly worse films with each new of his outings, for this one has stood the test of time like a fine black diamond.Along with "Black God, White Devil" and "Barren Lives" this is a Brazilian Classic from the now legendary art movement "Cinema Novo", yet for some unknown reason this film is seldom talked about or remembered. A fact that does not diminish its astounding quality, easily on-par with the titles mentioned above.9/10