Boca

This USA/Brazlian film is depressing for awhile as it concentrates of the abandoned street kids of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, of which they are thousands and thousands, unfortunately. Since it's carnival time in Brazil, however, the mood picks up and so does the sex as Rae Down Chong leads a parade of naked women.

The executive director of this movie, Zalman King, is known for his "soft porn" flicks, and this turned out to be just about in that category. It really isn't a memorable film and certainly your time or money.

If you want a better film dealing dealing with the horrors of the street situation in that area, check out "City Of God."

Why is this film not available? It is a stunning depiction ripped right out of the contemporary news headlines of the time. This film showcases the talent and beauty of Rae Dawn Chong, clearly one of the more underrated actresses in film. Powerful, gritty, erotic, troubling, insightful. We are used to the glamorous view of Brazil however in Boca one is faced with the dark side, hidden from most tourists. There are tremendously moving and powerful performances in this film and the lead as Boca is simply amazing. At times I felt that this man had lived through the nightmare world so stunningly portrayed, and yet of course he is an actor. That is the mark of a grand performance and there are more than a few in this film. Actors and actresses unknown to me prior to this movie move in and out dazzling as they do. Zalman King made a gem and it is almost unknown, that is a pity.

I found this film riveting. The carnival setting, the mystery, the sheer horror of the story kept my attention. And I could hardly believe Boca was an actor, he seemed so real. It may or may not be the truth, but it felt like the truth. Made me feel very uncomfortable.

oh dear. waves of kids being murdered in favellas in rio de janeiro. an interesting, if disturbing topic. who is responsible? enter rae dawn chong, beautiful but somewhat limited actress (see Commando) and one of the Kemp brothers (of the hallowed thespian soap opera school of acting) Add revered (reviled?) soft porn director Zalman King and the result is an excuse of a film that doesn't really work on any level. The directing credit is actually shared between King and one Walter Avancini, and the difference in opinion they must have had is obvious as the film changes direction frequently, unsure of it's path. the flashbacks are repetitive and irritating, the voodoo sub-plot ridiculous, the characters either too sleazy for words or just plain awful.If you want to see Chong naked this will(maybe)satisfy you, but at what price? There probably IS a good movie to be made on this subject matter, but Boca isn't it.

I saw this movie some time ago, and it is actually very interesting. The comment I wanted to make tho, is concerning the female lead, Rae Dawn Chong, who is just simply hot in this movie. I admit it, I watched the movie, because it was made by the notorious Zalman King, and he's most well known probably for his series on Showtime, Red Shoe Diaries. As a young straight man, I will say that my interest in the movie was purely to see a little flesh, but once you get into the movie, it's intriguing, and you just can't turn it off. The movie as a whole is very well put together, and the cast all give great performances. If you're looking for an erotic movie, it also works. Rae Dawn Chong, who I might just say does shed her clothes for this part, is sexy and exciting...especially her scenes with the male lead. It's not a movie for everyone, but if you want something different, it might just be your cup of tea, so to speak.