Bróder

Good film about three friends from Capão Redondo slum in São Paulo that followed different paths in their lives but met again for one of them's birthday. It is very well directed by Jeferson De in his very first feature film, and ciematographer Gustavo Hadba does an awesome work! On what concerns cinematography I may highlight two very special moments: 1) in the beginning, the long take introducinf Macu, with nearly one-minute-and-a-halft length (between 4'36" and 6'04"), and if we disconsider two minor hidden cuts (at 6'04" and 6'24") it is more than two-minutes-and-a-half long (until 7'13); and 2) the charming sequel of pan shots during feijoada party. The story is nice and the characters are even better. The three friends are well developed, and they their relationship is particularly engaging. All actors go well, but those three made the film succeed: Caio Blat, Jonathan Haagensen and Sílvio Guindane.

In the slum of Capão Redondo in São Paulo, the twenty-third anniversary of Marco Aurélio a.k.a. Macu (Caio Blat) will be celebrated with a "feijoada" (a typical Brazilian dish of black beans and pork) and beers promoted by his mother Dona Sônia (Cássia Kiss) and their closest friends. Among the guests are Macu's childhood best friends Jaiminho (Jonathan Haagensen), who plays soccer in Spain and is waiting to be summoned by the coach to the national team, and Pibe (Silvio Guindane), who has a baby and is living with Macu's former girlfriend Claudia.

Macu owes money to the dangerous criminals Serjão (Eduardo Acaiabe) and Napão (Du Bronx) and will host a boy that will be kidnapped by the delinquents in order to pay for his debts. Along the day, Macu stays with Jaiminho and Pibe recalling their childhood together. By the end of the day, Serjão and Napão tell Macu that they have changed their plans and the kid will not be kidnapped, but Jaiminho instead. Further, he shall meet the powerful Dr. Venceslau (Antônio Petrin) for further instructions. Now Macu is to be on the horns of a dilemma between his friendship for Jaiminho and the fear for the gang of his slum.

"Bróder" is a heartbreaking story about three childhood friends and their fates that unfortunately reflects the reality of our society. Macu is a victim of the system, living in a slum without any chance in life and ends in the claws of crime. Pibe has left the slum but is stalled in a low-class life without perspective. Jaiminho has had the chance to improve his life playing soccer and moving to Europe, but without forgetting his origin and friends. The expected tragic conclusion is very realistic. Caio Blat is among the best Brazilian contemporary actors and once again has a magnificent performance. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Bróder" ("the pronunciation of brother in Portuguese")