O Dia da Caça

This is one of the first, if not the first, Brazilian film to enter the criminal/thriller genre, one which, for some reason, was ignored until recently. With a rather complex plot and a lot of action, this thriller takes place mostly in the exotic Amazon region of Brazil. This area borders Peru and Colombia, and therefore lends itself to concentrating the cocaine trade in Brazil.

The plot deals with high level government involvement in the drug trade. Corruption at the upper echelons of government in Brasilia is rampant, and those involved in these illegal activities try their utmost to conceal the partnership, and eliminate all those who may pose a threat. The result of the ever twisting plot is an entertaining thriller, with very unusual characters, in a most exotic setting. Watch for it at a festival near you. The film has been making its rounds in the festival circuit for two years. Worth your time!

In Brasília, the mechanic and former drug dealer Nando (Marcello Antony) is requested by the corrupt federal agent Branco (Jonas Bloch) to travel to Colombia and bring thirty kilos of cocaine back to Manaus for his friend Arnaldo Canosa, the man who helped him to regenerate four years ago. For loyalty to his friend, Nando returns to the illegal activity and asks his gay friend Vandernilson "Vander" Santos (Paulo Vespúcio Garcia) to join him in the drug traffic with the Colombian lord Ibanez (Alexandre Zacchia). While returning to Manaus to meet the French dealer Yves (Jean-Louis Tribes) and his girlfriend Monalise (Barbara Schulz), Nando and Vander have the feeling that they have been betrayed, and they decide to stay in Porto do Nestor for the night with their suspect liaison Nestor (Roberto Bomtempo) instead. Meanwhile, in Manaus, the federal agents break in a boat and kills Yves and his men, with the coverage of the honest and competent journalist Raul Bual (Felipe Camargo), but do not find Nando and the drug as expected. Monalise goes to Porto do Nestor trying to escape from the police, and meets Nando and Vander. The trio decides to travel to Porto Esperança to meet pilot Iran, but Monalise is advised by Raul to go to Barreiras and then travel to Brasília trying to find a refuge. While together, Nando, Vander and Monalise realize that they have been involved in a war of gangs and in a net of betrayal and corruption, and they seek for shelter and revenge.

"O Dia da Caça" is a complex tale of betrayal, corruption and revenge, in a stylish Brazilian production with a magnificent awarded cinematography in many locations inclusive in Amazonas. The first time I saw this film, on 30 May 2002, I was surprised with the unusual genre of thriller with action and cinematographic language for a Brazilian film, but the story is engaging and very credible. The route of the narcotraffic through Brazilian borders and the corruption inclusive in the police force are unfortunately every now and then shown in the news. Therefore, this movie deals with a much updated theme. The screenplay is well-written, identifying the locations and using ellipsis to optimize the argument in the suitable running time of 113 minutes. The direction is sharp, exploring very well the cool style of Marcello Antony in his introspective character; Jonas Bloch is excellent as usual; the unknown Paulo Vespúcio Garcia has also a great performance in the role of a psychotic travesty; the unknown French actress Barbara Schulz steals the movie, with her magnificent acting, in spite of a free nudity scene (but my eyes say thank you for such a beautiful body). The role of the journalist Raul might deserve a stronger performance of Felipe Camargo. The production is very careful and detailed, showing for example a picture of Marilyn Monroe in Vander's apartment; or a beautiful introduction with Monalise in Paris wearing a red dress and stepping on a broken mirror; or the ventilator spinning on the ceiling, in homage to film-noir. The music score is another plus in this good movie. The recommended and worthy DVD has widescreen and fullscreen versions, subtitles in English, French and Spanish, therefore indicating that might have an international distribution and Extras with interviews. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Dia da Caça" ("The Day of the Hunt")