Despite the title, Rogério Sganzerla's directorial debut isn't a documentary, in fact it's a fictional story but there's a good (and hidden)
meaning to it. With a great deal of humor and fun moments, "Documentário" presents two young men (Vitor Loturfo and Marcelo Magalhães), best friends,
who want to spend the afternoon watching movies at the cinemas nearby. The problem is that they're very indecisive and conflicted about the film
they want to see. Sometimes a certain genre isn't appropriate due to their mood, or they seen the film already, or they don't like something about
a certain title and their discussions and walks around town go on and on, as they also reflect the girls they're trying to get a date, or some
future work or studies choice, and so forth.
Sganzerla's short hits cinephiles and friendship relationships to the core. In the case presented they're both film addicts, they love movies
but the differences between are so significant that they never find a common ground to make a choice, they're all disappointing each other with
whatever choice they try to settle. But why a "Documentary"? The film is shot in such a realistic manner, with unknown actors moving around town,
and this particular scenario of two people trying to have a good time before dealing with serious issues is something that resonates with such
truthfulness that it feels like the movie of real life, a documentary of sorts.
And it's the kind of experience that you'll certainly bring back
memories of times when you and your friends or family members were struggling to find something to watch, either on a theater, or rent on video
stores (remember those?) or to watch on TV, and digression were a constant and common thing. Like those times someone acquiesced, accepted what
a group or other person selected as the film to be seen and later on the regret hit hard because the film didn't work, wasn't good and etc. But
there's a lot more going on in Sganzerla's film, the reflection on the 1960's cultural scene, the youth of the period and their hopes, dreams, desires
and choices to follow. It's an incredible debut, fun to watch, and it's a pity that a majority of the man's other works weren't interesting or good
enough to attract me. So far, this is the best I've seen from him. 8/10.
