Amor Estranho Amor -love Strange Love- -1982- English Dubbed Awesome Movie May 2026
Before we go further, let’s address the elephant in the room. Love Strange Love is not for everyone. It was banned in several countries upon release. Its depiction of a child’s burgeoning sexuality in an adult environment is deliberately jarring. However, calling it "awesome" in the context of cult cinema refers to its craft, its audacity, and its unforgettable atmosphere.
Today, Xuxa is a Brazilian icon—a children’s television host, a singer, a merchandising mogul (often called the "Brazilian Madonna"). But before she became "Queen of the Little Ones," she played Tamar. It is a shockingly vulnerable performance. Tamar is barely older than a girl herself, trapped in the brothel, and her connection with Hugo is the film’s emotional core. Xuxa brings a heartbreaking innocence to a role that could have been purely prurient. For international fans of the English dubbed version, her soft voice and wide-eyed performance transcend language.
In the landscape of 1980s cult cinema, few films carry the mystique or the controversial reputation of Brazilian director Walter Hugo Khouri’s Amor Estranho Amor (Love Strange Love). While often categorized in video store bargain bins as an erotic drama, the film is a strange, melancholic beast—a coming-of-age story wrapped in the glossy, voyeuristic aesthetic of the "Emmanuelle" era.
For English-speaking audiences, the dubbed version became a staple of late-night cable TV, but the movie offers much more than titillation. Here is why Love Strange Love remains a fascinating, if complicated, piece of cinema history.
Amor Estranho Amor is not a film for the faint of heart, nor is it a film that adheres to traditional moral storytelling. It is "awesome" in the truest sense of the word: it inspires awe.
It is a movie about the collision of innocence and experience, set against a backdrop of gorgeous set design and political turmoil. It is a psychosexual fever dream that dares to push boundaries, leaving the viewer simultaneously entranced by its beauty and bewildered by its audacity.
For fans of cult cinema, erotic thrillers, and visually sumptuous dramas, tracking down the English-dubbed version of Love Strange Love is a rite of passage. It is a strange, lavish, and deeply compelling piece of cinema that you simply cannot look away from.
Unlocking the Vault: The Forbidden Cult Classic " Amor Estranho Amor
If you’re a fan of rare international cinema, you’ve likely heard whispers of the Brazilian film Amor Estranho Amor (Love Strange Love). Directed by the legendary Walter Hugo Khouri Before we go further, let’s address the elephant
, this 1982 erotic drama isn't just a movie; it’s a piece of cinematic history that was "forbidden" for decades. Why All the Hype?
The film gained massive notoriety because of its cast—specifically Xuxa Meneghel
. Before she became "The Queen of Children" and an international TV superstar, she played Tamara, a young woman in a high-class bordello. For years, Xuxa fought a legal battle
to keep the film out of circulation, making it nearly impossible to find for decades. The Plot: A Coming-of-Age Memory
Set in 1937 São Paulo during a period of intense political upheaval, the story follows Hugo, a 12-year-old boy sent to live with his mother, Anna (played by the stunning Vera Fischer ), in a luxurious brothel. A Journey of Discovery
: Through Hugo’s eyes, we witness a world of adult complexities, forbidden desires, and the loss of innocence. Atmospheric Directing
: Khouri is known for his psychological depth and "steamy" Brazilian landscapes, creating a film that feels like a hazy, erotic dream. Political Backdrop
: While the eroticism takes center stage, the looming shadow of a government coup adds a layer of tension to the opulent setting. The Quest for the English Dub So, you want to watch the "Amor Estranho
Finding an English-dubbed version of this film is like hunting for a needle in a haystack. While Amor Estranho Amor
was originally filmed in Portuguese, collectors and cult film enthusiasts often seek out dubbed versions or high-quality subtitled cuts. Because the ban was only recently lifted in 2017
, "awesome" dubbed copies are rare treasures often found in boutique physical media collections rather than mainstream streaming apps. Final Thoughts
Is it worth the watch? If you appreciate arthouse cinema that pushes boundaries and captures a specific era of Brazilian film history, absolutely. It’s a polarizing, visually striking experience that finally stepped out of the shadows and back into the light of the 21st century. where to buy
a physical copy of this movie, or would you like to see a list of similar cult classics from the 80s?
Amor Estranho Amor (released in English as Love Strange Love) is a 1982 Brazilian erotic crime drama directed by Walter Hugo Khouri. While originally filmed in Portuguese, English-dubbed versions were released on VHS and later on DVD in the United States, often marketed as an "uncut" or "unrated" version. Movie Overview
Plot: The story follows an adult politician who reminisces about a transformative 48-hour period in 1937 when he was a 12-year-old boy. Sent to live with his mother in an upscale brothel, he experiences his sexual awakening through his interactions with the resident prostitutes.
Major Stars: The film features famous Brazilian actors including Vera Fischer, Tarcísio Meira, and Xuxa Meneghel. Controversy and Availability A word of warning: The legal status of
The film is highly controversial due to explicit scenes involving the then-young protagonist and adult women, particularly the sequence featuring Xuxa.
Legal Battles: 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.
English Version: Despite the restrictions in Brazil, the film was released on DVD in the United States around 2005. English-dubbed versions are frequently noted for their poor quality, described by some reviewers as "atrocious".
Where to Find: You can still find the film through specialty retailers like J4HI or listed on IMDb for historical details.
So, you want to watch the "Amor Estranho Amor - Love Strange Love - 1982 - English Dubbed Awesome Movie." You are part of a dedicated cult. For years, this version was considered lost media. Original English-dubbed VHS copies from labels like "World Artists Entertainment" or "Continental Video" would fetch hundreds of dollars on eBay.
Recently, the film has seen a digital rebirth. While official streaming services (like Amazon Prime or MUBI) typically carry the original Portuguese audio with subtitles, the English dubbed version lives on through:
A word of warning: The legal status of the English dub is murky. The Brazilian rights holders have frequently reissued the film in Portuguese, but the English version's distributing rights have expired in most regions. Seek it out at your own risk, but respect the artists.