 | BRAZILIAN PRISON FILM THAT DOUBLES AS A DOCUDRAMA
rating: 5
This film offers a different,(to say the least),perspective on prison life and the way that the system is run in other countries. I enjoyed it and I am glad I was lucky enough to have come across it.
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barbaric brazilian prison
rating: 5
Built in 1928 to hold 4,000 prisoners, the Carandiru House of Detention in Sao Paulo housed 7,500 violent criminals and was the largest prison in Latin America. That was before it was closed and then demolished in late 2002, ten years after government troops stormed the prison in October 1992 and killed 111 inmates after a riot had broken out. Not a single police died, and as the film portrays it the prisoners had thrown their weapons out the barred windows and waved white flags. Based on these real life events, the film traces the violent prison subculture, the stories of several inmates (through extensive use of flashbacks), and especially the role played by the humanitarian prison doctor, Drauzio Varella, who volunteered his services for fourteen years after visiting the prison for AIDS research. He later wrote a memoir about his experiences, Carandiru Station, which forms the basis of the film. The film culminates in the riot, features the actual footage when it was demolished by dynamite in December 2002, and incorporates interviews with prisoners who survived the massacre. This film is not for weak stomachs; it is an unsettling commentary on the Darwinian subculture and institutionalized inhumanity inside our worst prisons. In Portuguese with subtitles.
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Stark, engrossing portrayal of life in a notorious Brazilian prison
rating: 4
This is much more than a prison riot film. In fact, the entire first two hours are spent exploring the lives and back stories of a select group of prisoners. Using a technique that will be familiar to viewers of the HBO series "Oz", we follow each of the prisoners in flashback through the series of events that led to their imprisonment. We also come to know what level of status (or lack of it) they each hold within the prison pecking order.
The result is for the most part a detailed portrait of daily life at Carandiru -- rivalries, loyalties, fights, love affairs, drug abuse, and murder -- along with a portrayal of the warden and his staff that is unexpectedly sympathetic.
It is worth noting that, while the conditions inside are certainly filthy and deplorable, the prisoners enjoy a surprising amount of freedom compared to similar facilities in the States. What surprised me most is a "family day" that is held each year where parents, wives, girlfriends, and children come to mingle throughout the facility with their jailed loved ones. Families picnic together and couples enjoy conjugal visits.
When the riot eventually does break out, it is not simply because the prisoners are rebelling against the poor conditions .. it is also because of one or more events that take place. (Nobody is quite capable of saying exactly which event or combination of them.) What is far more clear is the brutality shown by the police riot squad as it takes control of the facility once the prisoners have surrendered their weapons. Blood literally runs through the hallways and down the stairwells. Having come to know many of the prisoners as people makes these scenes very difficult to watch.
Overall this is an excellent movie, although anyone expecting 2-1/2 hours of hostage-taking and violence will be disappointed by its insistence on first taking the measure of the prisoners' humanity.
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WASTE OF MONEY
rating: 1
Long and boring. Cameos/flashbacks of various prisoners as they explain to the doctor how they ended up in prison. Nothing extraordinary. Lousy filming/directing. Should never have received awards. I don't make movies but give me a camera and I could film it, asleep. No real tension in the riot, and I wish I could get my money back. (City of God,((about life in the slums of Brazil)) is one of the best movies you will ever see/real-to-life/with DVD option to see real footage). Powerful/natural acting/doesn't even seem like they're acting.
When you view the documentary, you'll see that their characters were true to life, 100%. Note Interview of the Chief of Police who is very upfront and remarks that the police force is admittedly corrupt and exists only to protect the rich. Buy it, and you will enjoy and witness advanced/top notch/creative cinematography. This is for a collection.
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Great Movie...If you liked City of God, You'll Love this Movie.
rating: 5
This movie surpassed my expectations by far, and best of all... my girlfriend loved it as well (she is a tougher critic!). Any who, you won't be diasppointed.
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