A remarkable exhibition at the Rencontres d'Arles photography festival is shedding new light on a forgotten chapter of Brazilian artistic history - the vibrant modernist photography movement that flourished before being abruptly silenced by the military coup of 1964. The retrospective, drawn from the archives of the Foto Club de São Paulo, reveals a period of extraordinary creative freedom that was brutally interrupted by the rise of fascism in Brazil.

The timing of this exhibition carries particular resonance as Brazilians recently took to the streets to celebrate the Supreme Court's decision to sentence former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro to twenty-seven years in prison. Bolsonaro was found guilty of fomenting a murderous coup attempt following his electoral defeat to rival Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the most recent elections. This contemporary political drama serves as a stark reminder of Brazil's dark past under military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985, a period marked by systematic torture and death that remains vivid in the nation's collective memory.

The spectacular retrospective focuses specifically on the 'modernist' movement that emerged from the Foto Club de São Paulo, an institution that served as a creative haven for photographers exploring new artistic possibilities. This weekly photography feature highlights the club's archives, which document a period of wild creative energy that was suddenly and violently cut short by the 1964 coup d'état. The photographs on display reveal the depth and sophistication of Brazilian photography during this golden age, showcasing work that might have continued to evolve had political circumstances not intervened so dramatically.

The exhibition serves as both an artistic celebration and a historical reminder of how political upheaval can devastate cultural movements. The modernist photographers of São Paulo were part of a broader cultural renaissance that was exploring new forms of expression and pushing artistic boundaries. Their work represents not just aesthetic achievement, but also the tragic loss of what might have been - a creative movement whose full potential was never realized due to the oppressive political climate that followed.

The Arles exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to discover this overlooked period of Brazilian photography, providing insight into both the artistic achievements of the era and the broader historical context that shaped and ultimately ended this creative flowering. The passionate presentation of these archival materials underscores the importance of preserving and understanding cultural movements that were interrupted by political violence, making this retrospective both an artistic discovery and a powerful historical document.