Olga

I've just caught the film, and I must say, it is a powerful, powerful depiction - epic, really, of the life of Olga Benario. Camila Morgado is a force to be reckoned with. She left no stone unturned in bringing Olga (back) to life in this film. Her presence in the film is awe-inspiring. Such an amazing actress. Look for the subtle, uncomfortable humor that she depicts in her first night aboard ship with Prestes. It is great acting. And the strength of her gaze in a number of scenes will lock you in your seat. Just an amazing turn by this young actress. I was fortunate enough to see the film with her in attendance, and her comments afterward highlighted an articulate, well-read and focused young woman who is clearly quite serious about her craft and her country. What a breath of fresh air THAT is today!!

The story itself is solid, the cinematography outstanding.

This film will stay with you.

I've waited a lot for this movie and I was not satisfied. Too much money and talk about a movie that were nothing sounds natural or moving at all. The snow/winter scenes were among the worst, because just the artificial snow and clothes do not make a situation looks like it's very cold. Monjardin (the director) is very goo making TV series and soap operas, but he should adapt his talent to tell a story in a movie way. Olga looks like a movie made of cut scenes from a TV series. Caco Ciocler was not convincing as Prestes, he doesn't pass the impression that he would be able to inspire a march of 25 thousands km. Fernanda Montenegro was the best chose, she was wonderful as Leocádia Prestes. Camila Morgado is an excellent actress but the necessity of the creation of a love story and the obsession of showing that love and maternity made Olga a real woman, was a waste of time.

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

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

Olga was one of the most anticipated movies in history of Brazilian cinema. The images of the production was showed drop-to-drop, to rise the hype that surrounded this movie. The trailer was fantastic. With a brilliant cinematography and a beauty melancholic soundtrack. But now, when the movie finally arises in theaters... What can i tell you? Well, this movie REALLY couldn't fulfill the expectations that have created.

There are very reasons that makes Olga an ordinary movie. And the mainly is the direction. Jayme Monjardim (a traditional TV director in Brasil) had their debutance in cinema with this work. The problem is that Olga, has sequences and visual very near of the TV works of the director. The movie doesn't have rhythm and feeling of a real movie. It looks like a TV series showed on a great screen. The movie is very boring, the edition is poor and don't give the rhythm that a movie like that needs. The plot is very dramatic but sound like a journal romance. At least the cinematography is great in the most part of the movie and the art-direction makes a great job to create a cold Germany in the very tropical Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

If you really don't know the Brazilian cinema, this is not a movie that represents the talented Brazilian directors. A movie without rhythm, descent plot and straight direction, but with a great visual. Go see "City of God", "Redentor" and "The man who copied" if want to know why Brazilian cinema is rockin around the world.

6/10