SABOTAGE
- a manifesto-film (A Sabotagem da Moqueca Real)
format:
35 mm
length:
14 minutes
production
date: 2003
international
release: São Paulo International Short Films
Festival
august-
2003
directed
and written by: Ricardo Sá
director
of photography: Ramon Alvarado
production:
Renato Carniatto
edited
by: Nei Fernandes and Márcio Andrade
sound
editing by: Renato Turco
sound
mixing by: Alexandre Jardim |
|
music:
João Schmid, Zé Maria, Carlos Palombini,
Elaine Rowena
Cast:
Elaine Rowena, Reginaldo Secundo, Luiz Tadeu Teixeira,
Paulo dePaula, Suely Simão, Celso Adolpho,
Pat Moore, Juliano Teixeira
Synopsis
A young revolutionary uses pirate TV to unveil
the mask of American imperialism in Brazil.
Director's
Commentary
"I have tried to make a film which
reflects upon the economic model adopted in Brazil,
especially since the introduction of the Plano Real.
The film is set in 1995, during a period when the
majority of the Brazilian population had faith in
the promises of a stable economy. At the present time
we are suffering the consequences of that dream gone
sour. For this reason I believe that, although it
may take place in 1995, the sentiments expressed by
the film are relevant now."
Director's
biography
Ricardo Sá was born in Vitória,
in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.
He graduated in journalism from the Federal University
of Espírito Santo in 1989.
Now 37, he has travelled extensively both within and
beyond the borders of Brazil and the films he makes
reflect what he calls his "pilgrimage of images".
He
has made three shorts, one Super 8 and two 16mm,
as well as a number of videos both amateur and
professional. One of them, Os Quilombos do Angelim
was awarded the Research's prize by the Ministry
of Culture in the course of the 8th International
Screening of Ethnographic Cinema in Rio de Janeiro
2001. |
|
Ricardo Sá is an activist/artist. His work
dialogues with that of Brecht and the worker's cinema
of the Weimar Republic, forging links with libertarian
art.
His upcoming project is a film for television, adopting
an eco-surrealist stance to the universe of urban
youth.
This will be followed by a full length feature detailing
the conflict between a tribe of Guarani Indians in
Espírito Santo and a paper factory.
Aside from his personal projects, Ricardo has participated
in various cinematographic productions: he did the
stills for Walter Salles' 'Central do Brasil'; was
in the cast of Sergio Resende's 'Lamarca'; was production
assistant on Paulo Thiago's 'Vagas para Moças
de Fino Trato' and assistant director on Marcel Cordeiro's
'A Morte da Mulata'.
On the financing of the film
A Sabotagem da Moqueca Real received R$53,500.00
- about U$18.000,00 - in public funds. The first phase
- from conception to 'in the can' - was financed by
the Lei de Incentivos Fiscais of Vitória's
municipal council through the support of the Companhia
Vale
do Rio Doce. The ABD - C then negotiated an
agreement with the state Secretariat of Culture
permitting the finalisation of the film (along
with five other beneficiaries). The film was
co-produced with CTAV-FUNARTE who financed laboratory
costs and provided editing and mixing facilities. |
|
On
the aesthetics of the film
A Sabotagem da Moqueca Real is reminiscent
of the work of John Waters, the director of Pink Flamingos,
Cecil B. DeMented and other films of the somewhat
alternative genre. Ricardo plays with a sitcom format,
to the point of editing canned laughter into segments
of the film. Initially the audience might feel as
if they were watching a TV programme rather than a
film made for the cinema although this impression
will fade as the film progresses, becoming increasingly
realist and seeking to reveal the farce of cinematographic
spectacle.
Sabotage
On
the idea behind a manifesto-film
The intention was to interfere with the reality
of the audience, to stir unease in the Brazilian public
and prompt them to re-evaluate their social conditions;
in the hope that they might abandon the role of mere
spectator and take on the task of becoming active
participants in their own society.
This same principle inspired the turn of the century
cinema of the Weimar Republic and the birth of worker's
cinema, which advocated the politicisation of the
proletariat (working class). Ricardo Sá visualised
re-introducing this cinematographic dynamic in the
modern arena. As to whether he has succeeded or not.the
public and the critics must decide.
Further
info:
Ricardo
Sá
tchokusa@zipmail.com.br
(++55)
027 3324 6200, 3235 1983 , 9998 0859
Espírito
Santo - Vitória, Brazil
