VTLIB (Video 181), VU-FOR

Bye Bye Brazil

Into a dusty hill town in northeast Brazil rolls a fabulous spectacle: Swallow the Muscle King, Salome Queen of the Rhumba, even Lord Gypsy himself--King of the Magicians and Clairvoyants, all aboard a broken-down green truck with tents, lights, music and megaphones. Fasten your seatbelts and ride with Caravana Rolidei, in a story about Brazil, a country coming to an end to make way for another country about to begin.
 
 

Central Station (1998)

 A woman who writes letters for the illiterate at Rio de Janeiro's central train station feels obliged to help a 9-year-old boy whose mother has just been killed. The two form an unlikely bond and journey to a remote area of Brazil to try to find his father. Predictable, on one level, but extremely well done, with a shining performance by Montenegro (one of Brazil's leading actresses) and newcomer de Oliveira.
 
 

BB-FOR

Amor bandido (1979)

Tough drama of 17-year-old dancer-hooker Ache, estranged from cop father Gracindo, who takes up with baby-faced killer Guarnieri. Uncompromis-ing and, ultimately, sad; based on one of Brazil's most notorious criminal cases.
 
 

VT-LIB (Video 3787), BB-FOR

Black Orpheus (1959) aka Orfeu Negro (1959)
 

Street-car conductor Mello and country-girl Dawn fall in love in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. Lyrical updating of the Orpheus and Eurydice legend is beautifully acted and directed. Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film; rhythmic score by Luis Bonfa and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
 
 

BB-FOR

The Dolphin(1987)
 

Eroticism and mysticism are blended in this Brazilian fantasy-drama based on an Indian legend. A dolphin comes ashore on the night of the full moon, assumes human form, and seduces the women of a nearby village, but his continued presence leads to a dangerous resolution. Carlos Alberto Riccelli, Cassia Kiss star. 95 min. In Portuguese with English subtitles.
 
 

BB-DRAMA

Burning Season, The (1994) (TV)

Based on the true story of a Brazilian rubber tapper who leads his people in protest against government and developers, who want to cut down their part of the rainforest for a new road and ranch land. The rich and the powerful will stop at nothing, and frequently resort to murder.
 
 

BB-DRAMA, VU-DRAMA

Fifth Monkey, The (1990) aka Quinto Macaco, O (1990)
 

Straightforward, extremely enjoyable tale of snake and rare animal hunter Kingsley, and his escapades while attempting to sell chimps and earn enough money to wed the woman of his dreams. Rochat, who also scripted, movingly illustrates the necessity for mankind to respect the animal world. Beautifully filmed in Brazil.
 
 

VT-LIB (Video 754), BB-DRAMA

Mission, The (1986)
 

Productive (and profitable) Jesuit mission in the jungles of Brazil is threatened by greedy merchants and political factions within the church, in the late 18th century. Magnificent-looking film (Chris Menges' cinematography won an Oscar), rich in imagery, goes on so long--to such an inevitable conclusion--that its dramatic power is drained. Literate, high-minded screenplay by Robert Bolt; fine performances by Irons and De Niro.
 
 

VT-LIB (Video 840), VU-FOR

Official Story, The (1985) aka Historia oficial, La (1985)
 

Aleandro is exceptional as woman who lives the good life, sheltered from political turmoil that surrounds her in Argentina... until she begins to suspect that her adopted daughter may have been the offspring of a political prisoner. One of those rare films that manages to make a strong political statement in the midst of a crackling good story. Hard to believe it was director Puenzo's first feature film (he also scripted with Aida Bortnik). Oscar winner as Best Foreign Language Film. A knockout.
 

VU-DRAMA

Medicine Man (1992)

Connery plays a research scientist, sequestered in the Brazilian rain forest, who's found the cure for cancer--but can't duplicate it. Bracco is his brainy superior from the U. S. who's come to check up on him. Connery carries this movie singlehandedly, and as usual he's commanding to watch, but the film is weak, and Bracco's abrasive performance (and poorly written character) practically sink it.
 
 

VU-DRAMA

Where the River Runs Black (1986)
 

Orphaned boy raised in the Amazon jungle is brought to civilization by a well-meaning priest (Durning) who knew his father. Slow-moving story starts well but loses its grip as it leaves behind mystical elements and focuses more on child's-eye view of good guys and bad guys. Nicely filmed on location in Brazil.
 
 
 

Alive (1993)

Based on a true story. A Uruguayan rugby team charter a plane to fly across the Andes. When the plane crashes, there are about 20-25 survivors. Spotter planes are sent to locate the plane and look for survivors, but hampered by the fierce weather conditions they soon give up hope of finding anyone alive. After weeks without food, the passengers are faced with a dilemma; eat the dead or join them.
 
 

VT-LIB (Video 357), BB-DRAMA, VU-DRAMA

The Emerald Forest (1985)
 
 

Based on a true story, Powers Boothe plays an American dam engineer in Brazil. Boothe's son (played by Charlie Boorman - son of director John Boorman) is kidnapped by a rain forest tribe, and raised as one of their own. Boothe continues to look for him and after many trials and adventures, stumbles upon him.
 

VTLIB

Emerging Powers: Brazil (Video 5850)

Documentary which examines Brazil's changing economy. Brazil has the largest economy in Latin America, but a long history of inflation and corruption. Includes an interview with President Fernando Henrique Cardoso describing the steps his administration has taken to open up and privatize Brazil's market.
 

VTLIB

Mysteries of Peru (Video 4302)

Interested in ancient history?  Check out this two- part documentary series exploring stunning achievements of pre-Inca civilization ... and its mysterious and sudden disappearance.
 

VTLIB

The Green Wall (Video 2715)

Based on the filmmaker's own experience of homesteading with his parents in the Peruvian jungle which is in turn idyllic, cruel, rich and unyielding.  A young couple forsake their urban existence for life in the exciting but dangerous Peruvian jungle. Not for the feint of heart, or those easily aggravated with slower-paced foreign films with sub-titles.
 

VTLIB

The Tigress aka La Tigra (Video 3607)

The wild and wanton Francisca, known as the "The Tigress," is the eldest of three sisters, who are bosses of a farm in Ecuador. A medicine man tells Francisca and Juliana that their youngest sister Sara must remain a virgin to protect their land. A traveling salesman, engaged to Sara, tells the police that she is being kept locked up by her older sisters.  As with many foreign films, especially Spanish ones, don't expect a clear cut plot and straightforward motives.
 
 

VTLIB (Video 3613)

At Play in the Fields of the Lord

Martin and Hazel Quarrier are small-town fundamentalist missionaries sent to the jungles of South America to convert the Indians. Their remote mission was previously run by the Catholics, before the natives murdered them all. They are sent by the pompous Leslie Huben, who runs the missionary effort in the area but who seems more concerned about competing with his Catholic 'rivals' than in the Indians themselves. Hazel is terrified of the Indians while Martin is fascinated. Soon American pilot Lewis Moon joins the Indian tribe but is attracted by Leslie's young wife, Andy. Can the interaction of these characters and cultures, and the advancing bulldozers of civilization, avoid disaster?
 

BB-FOR, VTLIB Video 7394

Four Days in September aka O Que É Isso, Companheiro? (1997)
 
 

Emotion-charged, based-on-fact account of the events surrounding 1969 kidnapping of American ambassador (Arkin) by an idealistic yet diverse group of young Brazilian revolutionaries. All sides are given a voice in this empathetic and well-detailed political drama.
  

In 1955, Tobias Schneebaum disappeared into the depths of the Peruvian Amazon. A year later, he emerged from the jungle naked and covered in body paint … a modern-day cannibal. Now, follow the stranger-than-fiction tale of Schneebaum's return to the jungle in 1999, 45 years after his original visit, to reunite with the tribesmen he grew to love and who haunted him for nearly half a century.