Edgar Brasil was an influential Brazilian cinematographer, considered a key figure in the establishment of Cinema Novo. His career is inextricably linked to his collaboration with director Nelson Pereira dos Santos, for whom he handled the cinematography of seminal works such as "Rio, 40 Graus" (1955), "Rio, Zona Norte" (1957), and the masterpiece "Vidas Secas" (1963). His style, characterized by high-contrast black and white and a neorealist approach, helped to define the movement's aesthetic. Brasil was known for his innovative use of natural light and the handheld camera, techniques that gave his images a strong sense of documentary immediacy. For his work, he received several national awards, including the prestigious Prêmio Saci for the cinematography of "Rio, 40 Graus," solidifying his reputation as one of the masters of 20th-century Brazilian cinematography, whose work influenced generations of filmmakers.