Independent Film

Brazil, 76 mins.
Canadian Premiere
Director: Jesse Acevedo

This documentary is part music video for Virgínia Rodrigues and part exposé of the realities of life in the the slums of Rio. It is also a story of celebration in the face of discrimination and oppression, and of how samba, and Carnivale, came to be the single shining moment in in many of these peoples’ lives.

We’re introduced to a number of beautiful voices; members of samba schools, musicians, actors, and average people. Everyone sings, and everyone dances; without singing and dancing, many say that they would have nothing at all worth living for.

I appreciate the music and the dedication of the participants, and especially enjoyed Rogeria the female impersonator, who is quite entertaining in her matter-of-fact way.

The problem for me is that the movie seems to be trying to be all things; a social commentary; a documentary on Carnivale; a study of samba; and much more. The movie looks fine, and I’m interested in the stories that are told, but for the most part I’m left feeling somewhat empty; I don’t connect with this story at all.

I wouldn’t watch it again, except maybe for some of the Carnival footage at the end; the drums, the dancing, and the sheer audacity of the whole event have always amazed me. I’d suggest seeing it if you have a hole in your viewing schedule, but I wouldn’t pass up another movie in favour of this one.

—

This film will be showing during the 2005 Vancouver International Film Festival; schedule to be announced September 10, 2005 at http://www.viff.org