Now in its tenth year, the Brazilian Film Festival of Miami is marking its anniversary by rolling out a kaleidoscope of brilliant films, many of which are showing for the first time in the States. There is a little comedy, some love, and a lot of drama to entertain even the most discriminating cineastes.
The festival kicks off today with a free outdoor screening at the North Beach Bandshell of last years winners in the feature and short categories: Daniel Filhos The Owner of the History and Marco Shiavons The Chess of Colors. Filhos film documents a young womans journey through life and she relives her past by following alternative paths. Colors captures the struggles of Cida, a black woman who works for a racist old widow. The films will roll beginning at 8:00, but arrive early to claim your spot and listen to live music.
Making its U.S. premiere is the lone documentary This Is Bossa Nova (The History and Stories), Paulo Thiagos enthralling look at the Brazilian music that was born in the Fifties. Another must-see is Underground Game; this bizarre love story, directed by Antonio Carlos da Fontoura, follows Martín, a nightclub pianist who invents a silly game to meet women. And speaking of women ... Malu de Martinos Women of Brazil puts the lens on five different women as they live, love, and learn in an unusual and sometimes cruel world. The film opens with a young yet aggressive Esmeralda, who begs her boyfriend to deflower her the night before her family moves to Salvador. She soon blossoms from schoolgirl to sexy fashionista and then finds herself in an abusive relationship with a political official maybe as a punishment for her sins?
The festival runs through June 10. Admission is $10 for most screenings. Tickets for the Seu Jorge concert and closing-night awards ceremony cost $30. Visit www.brazilianfilmfestival.com for a complete schedule and venue locations.
June 1-10