Bye Bye Brasil

At last, a film I can unreservedly recommend--well, at least to adults.

"Bye Bye Brazil" is a film with heart, involving three-dimensional characters I was able to care about, their stories told unpretentiously in a straightforward exposition unhindered by self-conscious special effects, confusing games with the time-frame, etc. as in so many "artistic" films I've been watching lately (and in some cases ejecting from the player before they're finished).

Too bad this film is from 1979. I wish it were brand new, so I could hope for a return to these plain and honest values in film-making.

As soon as I saw that the title song was sung by Chico Buarque, one of my very favorite musicians, I suspected I was in for a pleasant evening, and I wasn't disappointed. The movie would be worth buying (apparently available on VHS only) just for that wonderful song, sung in its lengthy entirety over the closing credits, and briefly at the film's commencement. But "Bye Bye Brazil" offers much more than a pretty (and very funny) song. Time and again I was reminded of Bergman's films, as the interplay between the five chief characters developed. There's a certain visual resemblance to some of Bergman's scenes, too.

You could have a worse model.

Highly recommended--though not for kids.

More than a discussion on which are the best Brazilian films ever, "Bye-bye Brazil" is certainly one of the most important films made in Brazil. It is a deep sink in Brazilian soul and a portrait of serious changes in Brazilian society in late 70's. Modern vs traditional, pride vs vulnerability, love vs need, arts vs market, big town vs deep country, it is a very layered and encompassing film, abroad movie far from formulae and fancy, a must see for everyone who are interested in understanding and knowing Brazil.

This fantastic movie tell the history of a small caravan of artists that crosses an immense area inside Brazil accomplishing circus shows for simple and poor people. In the road, a couple of beggars that escapes from the drought of the northeast of Brazil associates to the group, and they are going all to seek the wealth and the success in new " Eldorado Brasileiro ": the Amazonian. A film human but also controversial, with a fort social content, that treats of problematic themes of the Brazilian reality: the social poverty, the migration and the environmental destruction.

Bye Bye, Brasil (1980) is a letter to Brazilians, literally. In the end of the film a phrase appears: "Ao povo brasileiro do século XXI", which means: "To the brazilian people of 21st century". I understand that there are two meanings for this phrase. First, Carlos (Cacá) Diegues, director and writer, meant that in the 21st century technological devices regarding movies and shows would be different and more common in Brazilian houses, so the movie is a historical log of the transition from radio to TV in poor zones in Brazil. Second, he was being ironic in terms of social issues. He knew that Brazil haven't progressed as much as people expected in these matters. So he predicted that what the movie explores: dishonesty, corruption, illiteracy, prostitution (as a social consequence), land problems and other themes would continue. The film is a parameter. Unfortunately, he was/is right and that's why the movie hits hard sometimes. The social critics are made naturally throughout the narrative, through the main characters and other people that appear in their journey. Though there is this strong drama side, there is also another one... There are many funny moments and memorable jokes, essentialy, because of José Wilker's character, Lorde Cigano (Gypsy Lord), who is the leader of the Caravana Rolidei group (like a mini circus). Wilker totally steals the attention with his charm, charisma and rascal way of being. By the way, this is a very common representation of Brazilians in Brazil and abroad, which is also a social issue and is probably an implicit critic by Cacá.

Everything about this film is well thought out, the plot and the screenplay, as I previously showed, the clothes and sets are very realistic (on location shooting) as well as the acting. I highlight, besides Wilker, Betty Faria, who created a very complex and interesting character.

Although the movie is a letter to Brazilians, I totally recommend this movie for foreigners. I think that, in this globalized 21st century world, we can understand a lot each other reality and comprehend messages like Diegues' one.

It is a precious gem. The story of the Caravana Rolidei, a group of poor traveling circus performers, is as fresh today as the first time I saw it. The caravan travels in the Brazilian countryside in a time where television is taking over and making all other sorts of entertainment obsolete. Very touching, very Brazilian, very easy to find in your video store.