Brazil hasn't had much luck at the Oscars in the last few years in the Foreign Film category, not because there have been a dearth of great movies but because those in charge of nominating the national selection have picked mediocre movies. But this year, Waste Land has been nominated for Best Documentary, so Brazil is in the running.
The movie was recently released in Brazil and is currently playing in several cities, and is coming out again in New York for a limited time. It's also being screened all over the US this month - click here for more info.
If you haven't seen the movie yet, here are a few sneak peeks in both Portuguese and English:
In other news about Waste Land, one of the film's stars, Tião, was invited to attend the Oscars with Vik Muniz, but his visa was denied by the US consulate. Vik told the media that he hopes to appeal and that Tião's visa will be approved in time for him to go.
What a deserving choice!
On a different note, I just saw a Chinese documentary from 2007 that was featured on This American Life. It's called Please Vote for Me, and it's available on Netflix on demand. Another one that leaves you in tears. Intriguing, funny, maddening and winning.
Btw, I visited O Cafe on 6th Ave recently - a sweet place, not very Brazilian, but very nice staff and cafe muito bom.
Posted by: Dennis | February 03, 2011 at 01:16 AM
It is very frustrating to see only movies about poverty, misery, illiteracy, drugs and crime coming out of Brazil.
The country's interesting people and geography is confined to the slums of Rio and the rich history and culture are overshadowed by the same sad and depressing realities of a few miserable slums in the hills around Rio de Janeiro.
I wonder when Brazil is going to free itself from this negative paradigm?
Posted by: Ray Adkins | February 03, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Most underated Brazilian film of all time.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087473/
Most overated, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058006/
Posted by: The Gritty Poet | February 03, 2011 at 06:07 PM
@Gritty - I need to find that first one
@Ray - agreed, but Waste Land does explore some other really interesting areas even though poverty is a big theme.
@Dennis - I'll look for that on Netflix. Thanks for the tip about O Cafe!
Posted by: Rio Gringa | February 03, 2011 at 08:03 PM
Ray, maybe this will happen when Brazilians take poverty and crime seriously. Until then... yeah, that's how it is going to be for a while. And, honestly, sure variety will be nice but not to tackle these issues at all would be to deny reality.
I am really hoping Waste Land gets the award but knowing the Academy and its past records it will probably pick any other documentary. I bet the one with the graffiti artist will win.. haven't seen it but that was sort of a big deal.
I find it super interesting that Tiao got his visa denied despite his travels to Europe and "celebrity" status now with this film. Sometimes I think the US Consulate is like an army... they just follow orders no matter what... they don't question anything! Really, in matters of racial and social-economic profiling they are probably the best institution in the world. Yet, Americans complain of the treatment in the Brazilian consulate when they get their visas a bit delayed. Gotta love when they think that's harsh! haha Imagine getting a visa denied because you are poor or black or for no rational reason at all. Nooo, that's too much to ask for the average American who think the third world is dying to see them traveling and spending their money in its lands. I just wonder when the US will come down of its high horse.... what a shame to continue in denial despite all that is happening in the world and its own country.
Anyway, hopefully they realize the mistake and give Tiao the visa on time!!
Posted by: Simone | February 04, 2011 at 04:59 PM
When will Brazilians stop taking an observation like "different subject matters should be portrayed in Brazilian movies" as a personal insult?
Putz, esse complexo cansa.
On a brighter note I have elaborated a clever joke which I will allow Rachel to headline as a post if she so desires. I think The Academy will give this their Best Foreign Joke Award. Move over Tião.
- O que disse a coruja americana após ser atingida por uma pedra?
- Owl!
Lol. I crack myself up.
Posted by: The Gritty Poet | February 05, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Simone,
I couldn't disagree with you more.
The fact that Brazilians do or don't take poverty seriously have nothing to do with making movies exclusively talking about poverty, crime and slums.
My view of movies include an entertaining factor which have lack in most Brazilian movies I have ever seen.
I absolutely do appreciate the social importance of "Tropa de Elite" for example, to inform and try to open the eyes of the common Brazilian to the corruption that surrounds them, but my frustration comes from not ever seeing movies made about any other aspect of Brazilian life other than poverty, crime and misery.
Olga for example was a refreshing exception, however it was based on a real story, a very important story to be told by the way, but I am talking about your garden variety entertainment movies, you know, a suspense, a comedy, an adventure thru some beautiful exotic Brazilian landscape...
I am just saying there is a lot more to Brazil than poverty and crime, but the movies industry doesn't reflect that reality.
They keep pounding on the exact same issues, over and over again, it truly feels like groundhog day at it's worse... :(
Ray
Posted by: Ray Adkins | February 05, 2011 at 06:48 PM
Taking the catador to the Oscars would seem a classic first world exercise in narcissism, as in "look, aren't we doing good in the world by lifting this poor guy out of his wretched existence, which we only see from afar?" Even if it's being arranged by a chic, successful Brazilian artist who came from a poor family, it still reeks of self-congratulatory nonsense. And after the Oscars, should the U.S. consulate actually permit this folly, it'll be back to the favelas and collecting trash. See "Slumdog Millionaire" stars, post-Oscar, for reference.
Posted by: Jim Turner | February 08, 2011 at 07:35 AM
I understand how it could look, but I disagree with the opinion that Tião's presence at the Oscars would be a purely selfish endeavor on the part of the filmmakers. To me, Tião was the heart of the film, and as the leader of the catadores union it seems very fitting that he should be there to represent them and their contributions to the project.
Posted by: Analise | February 11, 2011 at 12:01 PM