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ELITE SQUAD Wins The Golden Bear In Berlin, And We’ve Got A Review!
Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.
My apologies to Gelogurte, who sent this to us a few days ago. I’m glad he did, though, since this just won a major award at the Berlin Film Festival, and it sounds like it’s going to be amazing.
Don’t take my word for it, though. Check this out:
Hey, Ain't It Coolers!
Gelogurte here from brazilian website A GALAXIA again. How are you all doing?
A few years back I sent you a review of BUS 174 so today I'm here to talk about Jose Padilha's latest film called ELITE SQUAD. It premiered in the Berlim Festival where it won the Golden Bear and it was in cinemas in Brazil last year and it will be released in the US through the Weinstein Company in the next few months. Some people call this film the "new CITY OF GOD". Well, maybe in the sense that it's just as good... maybe even better. This movie was a huge hit here, which is rare. It was the fourth biggest gross of the year, I think, behind only the obvious stuff like SPIDER-MAN 3 and SHREK THE THIRD. And strangely enough, anybody could check it out before it even hit theaters. Why? Because somebody got his hands on a bootleg copy so you could buy it in any street corner six months before it's release. That generated a huge buzz for the movie and people actually went to theaters after all, which I guess is a good reflection on our audiences (despite the bad manners inside the theater).
In Brazil, specially in Rio de Janeiro where the film takes place, cops are not the most trustworthy public servants around. Some people say they are even worse than the criminals and they are kind of right. After all, these are people that you are suposed to depend on. At least with criminals you know where you stand. And these cops are crooked to the bone. I heard from a cab driver that a cop once let him off the hook for a pack of cigarretes, I kid you not. Most of them have a few schemes to earn some extra cash. That's what we call "the Brazilian little way", which is probably why we are still a third world country.
But sometimes, you'll find someone good. An honest cop. A talented cop. A guy that joined the force because he believes in doing the right thing. And that guy may be selected by the BOPE (Battalion of Special Operations). I guess they are like the USA's SWAT team. These guys aren't just cops or employees of the state. No. These guys are soldiers and they are fighting a war. And they are led by Captain Nascimento, played brilliantly by Wagner Moura. But Nascimento's wife is pregnant and he can't stop thinking about it. He doesn't want his kid to grow up without a father and when you're guy constantly in the line of fire the chances of that happening are pretty big. To make things worse, the Pope is coming to visit Rio and the BOPE is responsible for his security, specially because the Pope insists he'll stay close to the people and the favelas. So Nascimento needs to find a replacement and he needs one fast.
Now there are two guys that may be up for the job. One is Neto, played by Caio Junqueira, a kid that thinks he can be this generation's Rambo (if Stallone's haven't returned, I mean) and Nascimento's first choice. The other is a not only a cop, but a Law Student called André (André Ramiro in his first movie role) which may be too civilized for the job.
So instead of showing the human side of criminals like BUS 174, ELITE SQUAD has a more simplistic aproach. Criminals are bastards. Cops are bastards. Even the guys from BOPE are bastards... but at least they are the "good guys". And if you believe that the ends justify the means, well, you'll find yourself rooting for them through the whole movie. Actually, even if you don't. Because the brazilian people is pretty tired of being afraid all the time. Sure the BOPE are a bunch of fascists... but at least they are trying to do something right. Specially because, in this movie, the criminals are even worse. Remember Li'l Zé from CITY OF GOD? He's a sissy compared to the drug dealers of ELITE SQUAD.
But this is Wagner Moura' show. This guy gave life to probably the most quoted character in the history of film. I doubt that in any country any character in any movie have so many people repeating his exact lines. He's relentless but he's actually very human. A prick, but the kind of charming prick you want buy your side. He's not a anti-hero, he's a contemporary hero. He may cross the line but in this movie you'll cheer when he does it. You'll root for him and his men every step of the way. And for him, if you are an ocasional pot smoker, for example, it's your fault. What? Everything. It's that very simple line of thought: if people didn't buy drugs, there would be no drug dealers. Period. Violence would drop like a brick. Addicts who doesn't have any money wouldn't steal and rob and kill for money. To think that people break the law to give food and shelter to his wife and kids is pretty naive in his view. In his own words when he is busting a user's balls: "it's you who finances this shit". Like I said, simple... maybe too simple for some... but not entirely wrong.
I think I can't recomend ELITE SQUAD enough. It's a great movie. It's politically incorrect, it's violent, it's funny and it's great fun. And it makes you care. When you left the theater, it makes you feel avenged of all the times you got mugged or had your house broke in, which I guess it rarely happens in the US but here you have to watch over your shoulder all the time and have eyes in the back of your head.
Captain Nascimento is the new action hero of the country. Of the millenia! Skulls!
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bitches?
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THE BLACKEST NIGHT!
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"Sure the BOPE are a bunch of fascists... but at least they are trying to do something right. Specially because, in this movie, the criminals are even worse." That sounds like a fascist apology, fuck that, The Punisher is angry and wants to kill these people.
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Liked the well-written review. I'm there for sure-
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No, I just used the term 'fascist' as most people does nowadays: you know... just pissed off anybody tired of pussy-footing around. Or anyone who is authoritarian and/or abuses his authority. Sorry for the inconvenience but my honest opinion is that it's pretty disturbing when someone writes a review about a great movie and all a talkbacker can do is complain about the wrong use of a word. Maybe said use just shows that I'm a dumbass and you should just ignore this review and go check out the movie yourself (which is why I love reading reviews!). But that's me.
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One of the things I loved about this movie is that it doesn't ask for apologies. It is what it is. And it's awesome, no matter if you agree with the point of view of Capt. Nascimento. If you do, you'll probably feel great! If you don't, you'll be horrified by the violence and his abuse of authority... which it doesn't prevent this to be a great movie.
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And yes, you are right. Good memory! Galaxia is just the portuguese word for 'galaxy'. Anyway, the movie is excelent and it does have true balls. Go check out as soon as possible. You won't regret it.
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Thank you! This one is probably Brazil's candidate for the Academy Awards next year. It's really great. And it's Padilla's first 'fictional' film (he used to make documentaries like the one I mentioned in the review, BUS 174).
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For both the movie AND the reality of our Rio de Janeiro's streets. Parabéns cara!
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Check it out, my US brothers. You won´t regret.
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Sounds to me you're just bitter. Instead of posting about it for months in the talkbacks, which will get you nowhere, especially with that attitude, here's a tip: when you have a scoop and/or movie review, send an e-mail to Harry, Moriarty or Quint. It's not the first time I have a review published here and I hope won't be the last (even if they are terrible in your sad bitter I-liked-this-movie-before-everybody-else opinion). All that aside, I think it's a bit too much to ask of any international movie site to know about this movie since Berlin is probably the first real festival it played on (and won, yeah!) and didn't have any real publicity outside Brazil.
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Thanks man! Anything to get this movie the attention it deserves! Valeu mesmo!
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My bad... it was the 7th higgest grossing. Which is still pretty awesome.
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Sorry for my bitchyness, ricarleite. Nothing personal. Now about AICN's lack of interest, I guess it's kind of hard for them to show interest in a movie that they know nothing about and that the chances of them seeing it are pretty slim if the movie doesn't get a US release. When I heard TROPA DE ELITE would premiere his international run at the Berlim Festival, I knew I should send it then. So I guess my review just came in at the right moment. Good timing, that's all. When it does come out in the US, I guess a lot more people will send their reviews in. The AICN staff, love'em or hate'em, have always seemed pretty open about any kind of movie, from any country, as long as they know that the american readers (their bread and butter) may have a chance to see it.
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Pega um, pega geral, também vai pegar você!
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Tomara que pegue mesmo! O mundo todo! E um Oscar de melhor filme estrangeiro ano que vem.
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How can they review if they haven't seen it? If it's not even out on DVD yet? Not even in Brazil? And unless Massawyrm was at the Berlin Film Festival or was in Brazil last year, a review from him is gonna be kind of difficult for now. Your point of view right now is not only unfair but also doesn't make any sense. Should they just get a bootleg copy? Download from the internet? No f***ing way! With a movie like this, they publish reviews from sources outside the US. Again, maybe when it gets released in the US then Harry will review it, or Moriarty, Quint, Capone and yes, even Massawyrm. Or maybe all of them! And then the movie will get the attention you wish. Although I do think a lot more people all over the world knows about the movie NOW that it won the Golden Bear than will know because of Ain't It Cool News.
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Just curious. Man, that sucks that you have to constantly be on guard in Brazil, looking over your shoulder. I'd like to visit Brazil someday. I just want to meet some hella fine sex-crazed Brazilian chicks. Would I be alright if I stay on the beach most of the time?
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Feb 18, 2008 11:50:08 AM CST
Re: thebearovingian - How do you say "plant" in Portuguese?
by gelogurte
Go watch the movie. Then I'll tell you. He he he!
In a lot of beaches you can relax. Specially the small, secluded ones at northeastern shore. Rio is beautiful and there's a lot of great beaches there. But every town has it's 'tourist traps'. Just be carefull at night and deserted places. -
"Planta" is "plant" is in portuguese. Just add an "a".
And no; you don´t have to constantly be on guard in Brazil. This violent crisis is fucking up Rio de Janeiro alright, but it´s not like that. And Rio isn´t even the most violent city in Brazil, it´s just that the media likes to portrait it this way since it´s a famous city. Don´t be afraid to visit, it looks awesome. And yes, the ladies there are simply the best in this world. Ask around. -
Couldn't agree more. Any town has problems. Rio sure has it's share but it's definetly one of this places you must visit before you die.
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...Had alot of interesting material. A lot of great footage of interesting places, but was so needlessly strung out that it became very, very tedious. This still sounds exciting and interesting though.
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Waaaaaaaaaaaay different movies. Don't worry.
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C'mon! A brazilian movie wins the Golden Bear, and all I can see in the talkbacks is a guy is desperate need for attention! Gelogurte, please, let the TB be! Man, that's annoying.
By the way, guys, avoid Rio at all costs! Beautiful place, hot chicks, but all screwed up. Go someplace else in Brazil instead. Say no to the hype. It's all whores and pimps and thieves. -
I´m very happy for the filmmakers, I think all this fascism discussion is unfair, it´s a movie about drugs that has the guts to point the finger: if you use drugs, you´re a helping drug dealers. Captain Nascimento is a psycho, but says a few interesting things, like "how may children will have to die in drug wars, so a rich kid can enjoy a joint?".
Technically the movie is amazing, it works well as an action flick, it has lots of humor, but it´s ultimately a punch in the stomach. Very disturbing. -
Feb 18, 2008 9:32:47 PM CST
"ELITE SQUAD! With Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebbin..."
by mrmysteryguest
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to say that the main bad guy in this movie is more bad ass that Lil Ze is unbelievable, man!!!! Lil Ze is one of the most iconic film characters in Brazilian Film history...baiano doesn't even come close...that said, the movie is gritty, real, funny and at times, even touching...it portrays the inner working of the police dept and how superior officers make theirs on the side...it's chock full of great subplots, like the one about the pope coming to Rio..."bota na conta do Papa", and also when the new BOPE squad is being trained and the numbers thin out from 100 to 10. oh, and MATT PARKER'S ugly ass probably couldnt get any shone down in Rio, thus having to resort to pimps and hookers, but to say to stay away from Rio, tha't's ludicrous...anyone who's ever been to Rio knows it's one of the most eatiful places in the world. it's not calle "cidade maravilhosa"for nothing. most.brazilian.talkback.ever.
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just like, GALAXIA, the tranny who ran a train with sum hard pipin niggas on matt parker's loose ass. u hear me matt parker? i ain't done wit u by a damn sight!
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..."How many kids have to die so a rich kid can enjoy a joint?" None, if you dicks didn't make it illegal to justify your having a job in the first place.
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My review, my talkback. Kneel before Zod!
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Lil Zé sure is a great character but I never thought of him as a villain. He sure is unpredictable and scary. But CITY OF GOD is mostly about him and how he affects everybody else around, especially Rocket. But Baiano is the perfect movie villain.
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And Gelo, dude, didn't your mom breastfed you? Talk about insecurity....
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""..."How many kids have to die so a rich kid can enjoy a joint?" None, if you dicks didn't make it illegal to justify your having a job in the first place.""
Yes, that´s the point of the controversy. Padilha (the director) is in for the drug legalization, and Captain Nascimento is indeed a fascist psycho - is that simple, the criticism is that Nascimento and all he represents only exists because the drug traffic situation. That Variety critic (Jay Wasserberg I guess) didn´t understand that. He thought the movie glorified Captain Nascimento, which is nonsense - he kills and torture innocent people, is an absent husband/father, and is a very cruel man.
Thankfully Costa-Gavras, very famous for his political (and anti-fascist) movies has more brain. -
Jesus... some people just can't take a joke. If it bothers you so much, get lost! Why do you keep coming back here? To bitch about me sharing my opinions and say shit about a place that you probably visited once during Carnaval? And I thought this was a place for movie enthusiasts, like me, to share opinions with other enthusiasts.
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Couple of things:
- Is this even eligible for next year's best foreign language Oscar? It would have been for this year's and Brazil passed on nominating it (can't recall exactly what they did nominate).
- I'm not sure what people are talking about regarding the movie or the BOPE being fascist, unless one very loosely defines fascism to mean any state semi-sanctioned extrajudicial violence. But that's a very broad definition, so much so that it basically becomes meaningless.
- Regarding the comment that Capitao Nascimento is portrayed to be a scumbag, and the BOPE is portrayed in a negative light. i somewhat agree. But the BOPE is also portrayed as the least bad and least hypocritical of the players involved (morro crime lords, corrupt military police, student activists/drug dealers). So in a way it shows the reality of the BOPE as it is, a brutal almost counter-insurgency-like force that shoots first, asks questions later, but is effective and one of the few uncorrupt institutions in Brazilian society (well, in Rio anyway). They don't sugarcoat the actions of the BOPE (although the book that the film is loosely based on presents a more violent BOPE than portrayed in the film)
- Brazilian ultraviolence is not a media invention. The murder rate alone is about five times that of the US. This is not counting other forms of violent crime. But, crime is also geographically diverse. So Rio and Recife are two of the most violent places on earth outside of war zones (and because Rio's favelas, were crime is concentrated, are so mixed-in with middle and upper class society, there is a lot of spill over of crime and violence into middle class society), but in other parts of Brazil the crime rate is no worse than say, New Orleans or Washington DC. But still, keeping your wits about you is not bad advice when in Brazil, and don't carry anything that you don't mind giving up.
- Finally, even if you don't care about the social commentary, the politics of Brazil, or any of that stuff, the movie works as an actioner simply because it is well produced, written and acted. Wagner Moura is fantastic. His is one of the great performances of recent times, in my opinion. -
To be eligible for the Oscars, a movie has to be released in the US for I don't know how long, in I don't know how many cities, which is not the case of ELITE SQUAD (but is the case of THE YEAR MY PARENTS WENT ON VACATION). ELITE SQUAD could and should be Brazil's entry for next year.
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ELITE SQUAD can't te nominated for next year's foreign language Oscar. It can be nominated for every other category, though. The movie has to be released on its native country before a deadline - it has nothing to do with a release on the US.
And I was born and still live in Rio. It's a crappy place.
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