Sun bastards. The Alentejo is the land related forever to Tavares´ life and work, the lost paradise, world of poverty and social solidarity. Irisalva and his brother´s lives take place in a small town in that area, where traditions conform the tótem around which existence is organised. Irisalva commits the imprudence of falling in love with a man, on the rough cover of a patriarchal and primitive society, under the fragile roof of a repressive and claustrophobical home. Tavares´ style, which is poetic and of great beauty, may only be compared to the deep feeling of freedom and dignity which this woman transmits, not very common at that time.
