|
Samba Cine
Sneak a peak at some of the films featured at the Brazilian Film
Festival
By Dan
Hudak
Films,
parties, workshops and some of the biggest stars in the Brazilian
film and television industry highlight the Brazilian Film
Festival, which takes place at various
Miami Beach
locations from May 30 to June 7.
The festival
features 40 films, most making their U.S. premieres. Most of the
films are in Portuguese with English subtitles. Tickets are $10; a
VIP pass that includes access to all screenings and events is
$150. For more information, visit brazilianfilmfestival.com. In
the meantime, here’s a quick look at a few of the movies coming
our way.
The Magnate
*1/2
 What
a mess. I’m not referring to the movie The Magnate as much
as I am its titular main character, a reckless rock star (Paul
Vilhena) who only cares about looking tough in front of his
gangster friends. Magnate is not a nice person and shows few signs
of regret for his transgressions until, of course, he’s put in a
situation (after stealing a Ferrari) that he can’t shoot or talk
his way out of. Director Johnny Araujo wants us to hope Magnate
ends up OK, but the key to pulling that off is getting us to like
him first, and we don’t because there’s nothing to like. Araujo
does a nice job of setting the chaotic, hedonistic scene of
Magnate’s life, and fans of heavy metal will no doubt enjoy the
music. But without a main character at least nominally worth
watching, The Magnate ultimately hits all the wrong chords.
90 min. Not
Rated: Various debaucheries including drinking, smoking, swearing,
nudity, sex and drugs.
Showing at
9:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 1, at Colony Theater,
1040 Lincoln
Road,
Miami
Beach.
The Milky
Way
***1/2
If you see
one movie this week, make sure it’s The Milky Way. The
premise is simple, and the execution is brilliant. Heitor (Marco
Ricca) has a fight with his girlfriend of three years, Julia
(Alice Braga, I Am Legend), on the phone and then gets in
his car shortly thereafter with the hope of talking things through
in person. Too bad
Sao Paulo
traffic is horrible, which leaves Heitor to his thoughts as his
mind recalls their better moments and hopes for a bright future.
Director Lina Chamie’s film may border on existential and preachy,
but it’s always compelling given that every word and action has
meaning. The movie is especially poignant for those who recognize
Mozart’s Requiem (Chamie has a master’s degree in music),
which, in a unique way, holds the key to the movie’s success. It’s
a time warp inside Heitor’s mind and a beautiful love story rolled
into one. 88 min. Not Rated: Adult situations, nudity, mild
language.
Showing at 7
p.m.
Thursday, June 5, at Colony Theater,
1040 Lincoln
Road,
Miami
Beach.
Mutum
**1/2
On a small
farm in the middle of nowhere, 10-year-old Thiago (Thiago da Silva
Mariz) bonds with his brother Felipe (Wallison Felipe Leal Barroso)
in this slightly stiff, but ultimately successful, coming-of-age
tale. Throughout Mutum it’s easy to root for Thiago, who’s
likable and idealistic, but director Sandra Kogut’s lengthy shots
of nothing stunt his growth just as much as his dysfunctional
family does. Thiago clearly deserves better than an abusive father
(Joao Miguel) and a life of poverty, and paying movie-goers
deserve better than an unnecessary religious mishmash of self-pity
and self-loathing from every adult character. But Mariz’s
performance as Thiago makes it worthwhile to see the story
through, even if you can’t help but wish he made it to the end 15
minutes earlier. 95 min. Not Rated: Adult situations; suitable for
children 13 and older.
Showing at 7
p.m.
Tuesday, June 3, at Colony Theater,
1040 Lincoln
Road,
Miami
Beach. |
