Melbourne, 2026 — Borboleta Preta
A Feature Documentary
An odyssey into the soul of a nation — and through it, a reckoning with his own.
What is
the Brazilian soul?
It is the capacity to hold sorrow and joy in the same body at the same time — and dance.
The Film
In 1987 Craig Miller lived in Salvador da Bahia, studying Afro-Brazilian percussion with master Bira Reis in Pelourinho. Two blocks away, Olodum were recording Faraó Divindade do Egito — the song that launched the bloco afro movement globally. He was 27 and didn't fully understand what he was inside.
Now he's going back. 83 days across Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, the Northeast, and the ancient town of Cachoeira. Not to observe — to participate. Drumming, dancing, learning forró, joining a capoeira group. Inside the culture, not watching from outside.
The film reaches its spiritual climax in Cachoeira, where the Irmandade da Boa Morte — the Sisterhood of the Good Death, founded by enslaved Black women more than 200 years ago — processes through the streets in white, carrying candles for their dead. And then at noon: the waltz, the samba de roda, the feast.
The Journey
Arrival. First breath of Brazilian air. The roda de samba at Pedra do Sal — on the stone where enslaved people once unloaded salt from Europe.
Urban, sophisticated, electric. The jazz brasileiro scene. The city where Brazilian music got complicated and modern — the counterpoint to Salvador's roots.
The long movement. Pelourinho. Olodum on Tuesday nights. Candomblé. The search for what remains of the city that changed everything 38 years ago.
Recife, Olinda, Caruaru. Forró, frevo, Maracatu. A different Brazil — the Northeast's particular relationship with hardship and joy.
The Festa da Boa Morte. The Irmandade da Boa Morte — over 200 years old, still led by elderly Black women, processing through the streets in white. The film's spiritual and emotional climax.
The Previous Film
People who watched Cuba My Soul came out wanting to dance, wanting to go to Cuba, surprised by what they felt. If you haven't seen it — watch it on Amazon Prime and you'll understand exactly what Brazil My Soul is reaching for.
Seven international festivals · Best Documentary in Music · Amazon Prime
Craig Miller is an Australian documentary filmmaker, percussionist and singer based in Melbourne. He lived in Salvador da Bahia in 1987–88, studying Afro-Brazilian percussion with master Bira Reis at the Oficina de Investigação Musical in Pelourinho.
His documentary Cuba My Soul — made at age 62 with no prior filmmaking experience — screened at seven international festivals and won Best Documentary in Music at the World Music and Independent Film Festival. It streams on Amazon Prime worldwide.
Brazil My Soul is his return — to the city, the music, and the question he has been carrying for 38 years.
Watch Cuba My Soul → Amazon Prime VideoProduction
Sensation Records Pty Ltd
Melbourne, Australia
Production commences May 2026.
Target: Cannes 2028 — Directors' Fortnight / ACID.
Opening scene filmed March 15, 2026 — Borboleta Preta Sunset Samba by the Sea, Elwood Sailing Club, Melbourne.
The crowdfund is live. Contributions through the Australian Cultural Fund are tax deductible. Every dollar goes directly into making this film happen.
Australian Cultural Fund — all contributions are tax deductible
For co-production enquiries or collaboration.
sensationrecords@gmail.com