It's Carnivale in the Capital next week with the Brazilian film festival. Filmmakers from the South American nation will be in China, while audiences can choose from 11 Brazilian films, in English with Chinese subtitles.
Highlights of the showcase include the award-winning Two Sons of Francisco, a film on football star Pele, and two music documentaries featuring Brazilian bossa nova all-stars such as Vinicius de Moraes, Maria Bethania and Caetano Veloso. The films will be shown June 12-16 at Sun Dong An Cinema, 5/F, Sun Dong An Market, 138 Wangfujing Dajie. 6528-1838. 王府井大街138号新东安市场5层
God is Brazilian(上帝是巴西人)
6pm, Jun 12.
Directed by Carlos Diegues and starring Wagner Moura, Paloma Duarte.
God decides to take a vacation - but, first, He has to find a saint who can rule the universe while He's away. For that, He goes to Brazil's northeast, where He believes there's a good man for the job. During His mission, He becomes friend of a smart young man, Taoca.
Vinicius(维尼修斯)
8pm, Jun 12.
Directed by Miguel Faria Jr. and starring Maria Bethania and Ricardo Blat.
Documentary on Brazilian poet, playwright, critic, diplomat, composer, singer and lyricist Vinicius de Moraes (1913-1980). Archive images combine with up-to-date interviews with members of his family, friends, partners and also famous Brazilian singers.
The Machine(机器)
6pm, Jun 13.
Directed by Joao Falcao and starring Gustavo Falcao and Mariana Ximenes.
A young woman dreams of leaving her boring town. In a bid to make her stay, a lover goes on TV and claims he will travel to the future. If he fails, a death machine will kill him. Is that enough to keep her? Dreams contradict reality, and love tries to conquer all in this winsome love story.
This is Bossa Nova(波萨诺瓦)
8pm, Jun 13.
Directed by Paulo Thiago and starring Johnny Alf and Leny Andrade.
This documentary focuses on the Brazilian musical form born in the early 1950s and uses the anecdotes and musings of two of the greatest living composers from this unforgettable era: Roberto Menescal and Carlos Lyra.
Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures(电影，阿司匹林和兀鹰)
8pm, Jun 14
Directed by Marcelo Gomes and starring Peter Ketnath and Madalena Accioly.
Marcelo Gomes' appealing little road picture, it tells an affecting tale of a German driving around the barren north country of Brazil selling the new wonder drug aspirin during World War II.
Stay with Me Tonight(今晚和我在一起)
6pm, Jun 14.
Directed by Joao Falcao and starring Vladimir Brichta and Aline Moraes.
A
dark comedy about love and death. A dead musician who carries a secret in his after-life and struggles to communicate with his wife, who is still living. The setting, the costumes, the soundtrack are all combined to produce a real ghost story, about tenderness, passion and the true feeling of love.
Barren Lives(艰辛岁月)
6pm, Jun 15
Directed by Nelson Pereira.
Based on a famous novel by Graciliano Ramos, it is a chronicle of the day-to-day existence of a family of migrants who trek along the drought-ridden dusty roads of the Northeast's vast, heading to the urban South. Filmed with a strong compassion for the impoverished.
Pele Forever(永远的贝利)
8pm, Jun 15
Directed by Anibal Massaini Neto.
This is the best documentary about the greatest soccer placer of all times, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele If you witnessed that period, nostalgia and emotion will overtake you, but if you never saw Pele the King, this feature film will be a soccer encyclopedia for you.
The Middle of the World(云之路)
6pm, Jun 16
Directed by Vicente Amorim and starring Wagner Moura, and Claudia Abreu.
An illiterate and unemployed man feels destiny drawing him on an odyssey to Rio de Janeiro in pursuit of a job and a decent life. A family of seven journeys 2,000 miles across the hinterlands of Brazil on bicycles. Along the way, the story explores the inner dynamics of a family facing a great challenge with the courage to pursue dreams.
Macunaima(马库纳伊玛)
8pm, Jun 16
Directed by Joaquim Pedro de Andrade.
The story begins with Macunaima's miraculous birth to an old woman in a tiny jungle settlement. Born full-grown, he discovers his life's purpose, which leads him and his family/followers on a journey to the Big City. On the way, more miracles occur, but Macunaima still has the heart and mind of a child.
(China Daily 06/06/2007 page6)
