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 Not had enough international cinematic goodness just yet? The BRAZIL FILM FESTIVAL is coming to town, and Rave’s TIM MILFULL has previewed several of the films on offer.
Not to be overshadowed by the Big Four film festivals on the Australian circuit – I’m thinking here of the Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide international film festivals – there’s a growing market for some smaller, but very tempting programmes to entice cinephiles. Of course, right now we’re in the middle of the glory of BIFF, but don’t let that keep you from events like last week’s Japan Film Festival, the Hola Mexico Film Festival at the beginning of December, and starting next Wednesday night, the Brazil Film Festival, which features a dozen very diverse films from the home of favelas and Mardi Gras.
Opening Night at Palace Centro includes pre-dinner drinks in the Lounge Brazil, followed by Head Over Heels and then the Festa Brazil after-party. Roberto Santucci’s wacky sex-com sees highly-strung marketing executive, Alice (Ingrid Guimarães) lose not only her pending promotion, but her job at a leading toy company. To rub salt in the wound, her husband João finally loses patience with Alice prioritising work over family, and walks out on her. But an unexpected salvation comes in the form of her neighbour, Marcela (Maria Paula) who owns a sex shop and just might have something that will take some of the stress out of Alice’s life. Closing Night has a similar level of wackiness to complement the celebrations and after-party, with José Alvarenga Jr’s Trap.com telling the story of Bruno (Bruno Mazzeo) trying to revive his reputation after his ex-girlfriend takes revenge by posting a video featuring his erectile dysfunction on YouTube.
Those seeking something a little more esoteric might like to check out Our Home: The Astral City, written and directed by Wagner de Assis, and adapted from the writings of famous spiritist medium, Chico Xavier, whose channelling revealed the story of long-dead physician, André Luiz (Renato Prieto). Reputedly Brazil’s most expensive, highest grossing films in history, Our Home tells the story of Luiz’s spiritual redemption after a hedonistic life. While decidedly not my thing, if you liked What the Bleep!?, you’ll love Our Home.
From the esoteric to the truly grounded and gritty, Jefferson De’s Bróder and Cacau Amaral’s 5x Favela turn away from the bourgeois and focus on the stories of those living in some of the most densely populated and dangerous regions on Earth: the favelas of Rio De Janiero. Bróder is the story of three childhood friends whose lives have taken them in quite different directions, while the alternately poignant and entertaining 5x Favela features five different stories from the favelas.
I’ve saved the best for last with Blue Eyes, which stars one-time Sledgehammer legend David Rasche as a former US Customs official on a journey of redemption. With the help of smart-mouthed prostitute, Bia (Cristina Lago), Rasche’s Marshall is in Brazil tracking down a young girl. José Joffily’s confronting story of bigotry casts Rasche in a very unsympathetic light, and as the intertwining narratives of Blue Eyes unfold, the motives for Marshall’s journey are revealed.
The BRAZIL FILM FESTIVAL 2011 runs at Palace Centro & Barracks from Wednesday Nov 16 to Sunday Nov 20. For more information about the films and events on offer check out www.brazilfilmfestival.com.au.
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