Carandiru (2003)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

What is the goal of this film? From a very catholic world, a catholic hagiography. But there are so many shinny lights along the way, the writer keeps forgetting the goal. Is it about the saintly doctor? Is is about society? Is is about the misery of poverty? Is it about the prison system? Is it about power? The stories are too many and too undeveloped, only a long string of summer time snapshots. The only thing liking all this mess together is the rigid dogma of the producers who at the same time want to do charity and stone the sinners.Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

Sociopolitical context: This movie is perfect if you want to understand why the PCC (Primeiro Commando da Capital) was founded after the Carandiru Massacre of '92. The PCC is a state recognized terrorist group which coordinates massive and simultaneous prison riots throughout the state of Sao Paulo. About 2-3 years ago, it staged a major riot that took to the streets of Sao Paulo and couldn't be quelled for days.Moreover, many people have considered this movie to be biased. In a sense, that is very true because it is told by the doctor who treated the inmates and thus forged friendships with the criminals. Moreover, the military police officers who raided the prison have never come forward to give their accounts of the events.This movie is set in the late 80s, at the outbreak of the AIDS pandemic and culminates with the infamous massacre. The movie surveys the lives of several inmates, in the style of "mockumentary." This is used primarily to humanize the criminals and to give them a voice, as well as a sense of humanity. Regardless of what society thinks of criminals (or "marginais"), this film made sure that every inmate had a name, a story and a sense of honor. (However warped we think they may be.) Many will call this part slow because it is: it's not designed to progress the plot, it's merely there to make you feel the humanity of these prisoners. In my opinion, although slow, it was still fun to watch. Classic moment: showdown of Majestade's "honeys." The effect of the "slow" hours of the movie finally deliver a very traumatic and powerful result: when the military police stormed the prison towards the end, it is trying not to feel genuine shock and horror. I was seriously disturbed; although quelled, the MP invaded the prison anyway and opened fire at inmates that had massively surrendered their weapons. The blood pool and collection of holed-up corpses along the corridors sent shivers up my spine. 111 inmates murdered by the MP without weapons. Based on Dr. Drauzio Varella's accounts, there was no legally justifiable or excusable reason for opening fire upon 111 inmates. The humiliation that followed was likewise painful to watch.I enjoyed this movie because it poised many questions: which punishment should fit which crime? Is humiliation and slaughter appropriate only when you wear a badge? Who is the bigger criminal? Brazil - for all its faults - is still my home and I love my country. I was taught to believe that crime is commonplace and part of living in such a beautiful and warm land. However, as a law-abiding citizen, how much brutality do I tolerate in my name? And on a side note, a mundane curiosity overcame me: how come they get to walk around freely around the prison? How is it that Lady Di has a very cute and well-decorated room? How and why do they get hot plates, TVs & radio? If this is true, it really does crack me up and stirs a myriad of emotions in me towards the Brazilian justice system!Lastly, if you're not about any of the political stuff, at least watch it for Rodrigo Santoro's performance. He is AWESOME in drag!

One could easily get the wrong impression of the storyline here. Yes, it is based on the true-life massacre at the Brazilian prison in 1992 BUT that story is only shown in the last 30 minutes of this 145-miniute film.The movie is really about the people who inhabited that prison back in that time. There are short profiles of numerous criminals, told through the eyes mainly of a doctor who is sent there. AIDs was a major problem in the jail. The doctor treats a lot of people who then tell him stories how they got to be inmates at Carandiru. In addition, there are bunch of scenes in which the inmates interact among themselves, shown as everything from antagonists to lovers.Make no mistake: some of the stories are sordid, but its not as unpleasant to watch as one might think because the characters and the film-making are very interesting. The storyline moves fast, which is important considering the length of this film.A viewer could even stop the movie at several points, pick up later without losing much since the story unfolds in segments. The ending (the massacre) really comes on suddenly. Unlike most movies,the story doesn't build up to the climax, here it just appears out of nowhere.The same director who did the more-famous "City of God" filmed this and many critics here say it's not in the same league, but I thought it was at least in the same ballpark Both are entertaining, and most of us watch films to be entertained. So, if you liked ""City Of God," give this one a look as well.

Carandiru was the biggest prison ever in Brazil, with a capacity of 4000, but most of the time it accommodated more than 7000 prisoners. It was demolished a few years ago. This film shows us the life conditions in Carandiru on the months previous to a riot that ended up with a hundred dead, and tons of wounded prisoners... We see prisoner's subhuman life conditions, we're told about what some of them did to be convicted, their relationships in and outside prison. The main character is the prison doctor, the best witness for all of the prisoners' diseases, their problems with drugs, AIDS, sex, and everything. In many ways he's kind of a confessor. In some sequences it seems like you're watching a comedy... other times the film turns into a brutal drama. I think the director didn't really focus the story in a definite line. He wanted to cover so many issues, but ended up not properly covering any of them. There're too many characters, too many crossed stories, and because of that the film is way too long (148 minutes!). You'll found some brilliant sequences, and it's brilliantly filmed (reminds me of another recent Brazilian movie: City Of God), but that's not enough. It could've been a great film if Hector Babenco had just focused the story in no more than 2 characters, and talked deeply about them. He only dedicates 10 minutes to recreate the riot and its serious consequences. My verdict is that the director was too ambitious, and that he threw away a good chance to make an excellent movie (he sure knows how to move the camera -no doubt about it-). As for the actors, I didn't know any of them but they certainly do a good job, all of'em. My rate: 6/10