interesting documentary

This is an interesting, unique documentary from Brazilian filmmaker Lucia Murat, whom I first learned about from her beautiful film BRAVA GENTE BRASILEIRA. The documentary surveys how Brazil is portrayed in films made by other countries, and it features commentary from many directors and actors. I was surprised by how Ms. Murat was able to get them to speak so candidly about their regrets in participating in cliches and stereotypes about Brazil and ceding to Hollywood's mass-market values over artistic values. It's almost as if some of them were ashamed of the movies they had made!

The documentary may be a bit lopsided because it only covers films that indulge in the stereotypes of Brazil and passes over some very good films, like EMERALD FOREST. If you've ever read THE EMERALD FOREST DIARIES, John Boorman's book on the making of his film, you'd know that he has lots of astute observations on Brazil that go beyond the average American/British images of Brazil. So I was disappointed that neither Boorman nor his film were covered, while mediocre films like ANACONDA and BURNING SEASON were covered. But despite this criticism it is a very good documentary, and anyone interested in Brazil will enjoy it. It is mostly in English, with some French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Films covered include:

ANACONDA
BLAME IT ON RIO
BRENDA STARR
L'HOMME DE RIO
LE GRABUGE
LE FILS DU FRANCAIS
NEXT STOP WONDERLAND
SALLSKAPRESAN
SI TU VAS A RIO... TU MEURES
SVARTA PALMKRONOR
T'EMPECHES TOUT LE MONDE
THE BURNING SEASON: THE CHICO MENDES STORY
THE CHAMP
THE END OF THE RIVER
THE FORBIDDEN DANCE
WILD ORCHID