Olga

One of the most cheesy movies I've ever seen. A fantastic story that was wasted in a completely tacky film, mushy and extremely loaded. I regret that we wasted a chance to do a remarkable film of a moment so important and so unique in the history of our country, involving such amazing characters as were Luis Carlos Prestes and Olga Benário. Unfortunately the choice of director and cast followed the novel patterns are printed it too hard in the film. The use of soundtrack is a separate chapter. It is always over the top, trying to push hard emotion, taking any subtlety that may exist in the interpretations of the cast. This makes it impossible to actually get emotional as before some important dialogue begin the violin is already playing deafeningly. A big waste.

I saw "Olga" at a local Jewish film festival. It is a confusing film containing several mistakes. It was never made clear that Olga was a Munich-born German (Olga Gutmann Benario) whose father was of Jewish decent, but her mother was not. Olga moved from Munich to Berlin in 1925 at age 17. The biggest mistake of the filmmaker was to report that she was killed in Theresienstadt, she died in Bernburg. That the movie is in Portuguese doesn't help either. The story is too long-winded and some scenes are moving too slow. I couldn't get emotionally involved in the story and felt detached from Olga's plight even though the director tried but failed to show her tragic life in a way Spielberg would have done it. I had high expectations when I read about this movie, but was pretty disappointed. At least, the acting was good. It would probably better to read about Olga than to see this movie.

Everybody has seen many American and European films about the World War II and the terrors Hitler made to the Jews. Most of these movies are great, and many of them are really big success in the Oscar ceremony. Some other countries out of this Europe-USA pool have also made good things about the theme and Brazil has finally made its try, a really good job. "Olga" is based on "Olga Benário", a book written by Fernando Morais about the German woman who fought for Communism in Russia and in Brazil, where she lived with Luis Carlos Prestes, a man who tried to take Communism to power through a revolution.

The film shows basically their love story and the hard life Olga had in prison, but the historical content is not left out. Actually, it's an important fact in "Olga".

The actors and actresses are not known outside Brazil, but it's not a reason to forget this movie. I really think people all over the world should take some time to watch it. The direction is well done and production is huge.

My rate 9/10

This was a film that leaves an audience stunned and silent! The concentration camp element of the film proved harrowing as did the repressive cruelty of the Vargas regime. However the the growing attraction between Prestes and Olga was tenderly portrayed and beautifully acted. Along with fine performances by the principals,came some effective acting in the supporting roles,plus a haunting musical score and impressive filming. Of course there is a political element to the film but primarily it is the fight between good and evil,with the power of love conquering all. The film was unmistakably Brazilian but uniformly good and deserves high praise

I am aware of the fact that Brazilian movies are not famous as the American ones,but I agree that Olga should be nominated for an Oscar, and deserves to be watched. Olga was made with a great production by the Brazilians standards, and is a beautiful and sensitive movie, showing the history of this brave Jewish and communist woman called Olga Benario.

Camila Morgado and Fernanda Montenegro are two of my favorite Brazilian actresses,and are great too in their roles. (Camila as Olga deserves applause).

The movie shows Olga's path, since she was a rich teenager to her final moments, in a concentration camp.