2 Filhos de Francisco: A História de Zezé di Camargo & Luciano

It's about a father that wants two of his children to became country singers. He never gives up, always believes in his dream even if he doesn't have money to feed his family and everybody thought he is crazy. They are poor and live in the countryside of Brazil, Goiás (a state in central Brazil). It's similar to Walter Salles Central Station, with its simplicity and sophistication. Beautiful cinematography. If you want to know how is the real Brazilian soul, watch this movie. There is prejudice against country music, like in the USA. Parts of upper class e high middle class here think that country music is tacky. See the movie made me understand what this kind of music means to people that makes it and listen to it. It's only a different taste. There are lots of classic regional song from Brazil that other countries don't know, different from samba or Bossa Nova. I hope its deserve attention in other countries too. The film is getting the first place in box office for 10 weeks (about 5 million saw it. "The Incredibles" is the second), became the most viewed this year and it's our foreign-language Oscar contender. Its also a huge success with critics. Zeze Di Camargo & Luciano have sold more than 22 million CDs in Brazil.

I was very reluctant to see "2 Filhos de Francisco", since I hate the popular Brazilian "redneck-duo" singers "Zezé di Camargo e Luciano" and their country songs. However, my son and some friends of mine told me that it would be worthwhile to watch this movie, which was included in the selection for the nomination from Brazil to the 2006 Oscar.

Yesterday I decided to forget my prejudice and I really watched a beautiful and touching story, with an awful music score for my taste, but great performances. The tough life of Zeze di Camargo and his family, and the dream of his father Francisco are wonderfully pictured in this film, and it is a true good example that we should never forget our dreams, no matter how distant or impossible they might seem to be. The expressive performance of the boy Dablio Moreira was very impressive, and Ângelo Antônio's role and performances are very powerful. I regret only the scene with the excessive merchandize of the major sponsor of this film. I really recommend this movie for those like me that are not fans of "Zezé di Camargo e Luciano", because the fans certainly will be in the nirvana with such great movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "2 Filhos de Francisco" ("2 Sons of Francisco")

The movie shows many aspects of the Brazilian popular culture. Also shows what the humblest layers of the population consider valuable. It is not a "cult" movie that a small intellectual elite will appreciate. This film exalts the values of an enormous social layer, materially poor that unfortunately the elites dislike and despise. The singers are really talented and they deserve to be registered in a beautiful movie as this is. Highly recommended for those that appreciate the contemporary popular culture and want to understand better the Brazilian people that live far from Copacabana. The diversity of the Brazilian society is much more varied and rich that what is shown traditionally to the world, and this movie shows one of the multiple faces of the Brazilian people.

I've heard a lot about this movie. It's good as cinema, with a beautiful photography, good art direction and fair script and rhythm. There are funny and sad moments. But I can't see this movie as a Oscar-winner, or even as representative of a great Brazilian production. It's great for the fans of the singers; I can imagine them crying all the time... I'm sorry, but it doesn't go farther than a good soap opera, or an Indian Bollywood hit.

Any Brazilian movie with good budget is pointed as a Oscar-winner. It happens every year. Come on, let's face it: this movie is good, but not good enough.

I really enjoyed it this movie. I saw this movie while visiting Brasil for the first time during the early parts of October 2005. Despite my limited mastery of the Portuguese language I was quickly taken in by this movie. I laughed; cried, celebrated and cried again as the movie engulfs you with its charm, scenery, music and its superb story line that flowed beautifully. Adding to its magic was the fact that I saw it with my new BRASILEAN girlfriend... Celia. It was truly an uplifting film that leaves you with a sense of hope. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Javier Lizano