The Man of the Year (2003) O Homem do Ano (original title)

Director:

José Henrique Fonseca

Writers:

Rubem Fonseca (writer)
Patrícia Melo (novel)

Release Date:

1 August 2003 (Brazil)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime

Plot:

Maiquel has lost a bet and dyed his hair blond. This little event triggers a head-on collision with destiny in which Maiquel goes from nobody to hero to outlaw--all in 24 hours.

Plot Keywords:

Bet | Murder | Hair Stylist | Soccer | Pet Store

Awards:

7 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Murilo Benício	...	Máiquel
Cláudia Abreu	...	Cledir
Natália Lage	...	Érica
Jorge Dória	...	Dr. Carvalho
André Gonçalves	...	Galego
Lázaro Ramos	...	Marcão
Perfeito Fortuna	...	Robinson
Paulo Moska	...	Enoque
Wagner Moura	...	Suel
André Barros	...	Marlênio
Carlo Mossy	...	Delegado Santana
Mariana Ximenes	...	Gabriela
Amir Haddad	...	Gonzaga
José Wilker	...	Sílvio
Agildo Ribeiro	...	Zilmar
Paulo César Peréio	...	Seu Humberto
Marcelo Biju	...	Neno
José Henrique Fonseca	...	Caju
Nill Marcondes	...	Ezequiel
Vick Militello	...	Tia Laura
Xando Graça	...	Councilman Pimenta
Marcelo Portinari	...	Conan
Romeu Evaristo	...	Pedrão
Mr. Catra	...	Verli
Guilherme Estevam	...	Pereba
Lúcio Andrey	...	Uncle Galinha
Orã Figueiredo	...	Átila
Maurício Gonçalves	...	Detective Max
Marilu Bueno	...	Cledir's Mother
Guil Silveira	...	Pharmacist
Railane Borges	...	Girl
Alexandre Tavares	...	Lad
Perigoso	...	Caju's friend
Vitor Igreja Maclaren	...	Samanta
Alex Sander	...	Lucio

Directed by
José Henrique Fonseca

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Rubem Fonseca		writer
Patrícia Melo		novel "O Matador"

Produced by
Beto Bruno	....	executive producer
José Henrique Fonseca	....	producer
Leonardo Monteiro de Barros	....	producer
Flávio R. Tambellini	....	producer

Original Music by
Dado Villa-Lobos

Cinematography by
Breno Silveira

Film Editing by
Sérgio Mekler

Casting by
Marcela Altberg

Production Design by
Kiti Duarte

Art Direction by
Toni Vanzolini

Costume Design by
Cláudia Kopke

Makeup Department
Juliana Mendes	....	hair designer
Juliana Mendes	....	makeup designer

Production Management
Felipe Braga	....	production supervisor
Maria Clara Ferreira	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tatiana De Lamare	....	assistant director
Luiza Nazareth	....	assistant director
Tina Salles	....	assistant director

Art Department
Joana Mureb	....	set dresser

Sound Department
Leslie Bloom	....	foley artist
Márcio Câmara	....	sound recordist
Jeff Formosa	....	sound effects editor
Daniel Mazzuca	....	sound effects editor
Eric Milano	....	sound effects editor
Branka Mrkic	....	sound editor
Tom Paul	....	sound designer
Tom Paul	....	supervising sound editor
Daniel Perlin	....	sound editor
Michael Semanick	....	sound re-recording mixer
Mark A. Van Der Willigen	....	sound post-production
Waldir Xavier	....	sound effects editor

Special Effects by
Sergio Farjalla Jr.	....	special effects
Sergio Farjalla	....	special effects supervisor

Visual Effects by
Andre Waller	....	digital compositor

Camera and Electrical Department
Pablo Hoffmann	....	video assist
Paulo Souza	....	gaffer

Music Department
Eric Milano	....	music editor

Other crew
Sergio Farjalla Jr.	....	weapons
Fernanda Luz	....	script supervisor
Perigoso	....	assistant set manager

Production Companies

• Conspiração Filmes
• Estúdios Mega
• MegaColor
• Quanta Centro de Produções Cinematográficas

Distributors

• Film Movement (2004) (USA) (DVD) (English subtitles)
• Optimum Releasing
• Warner Home Vídeo (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (2004) (Brazil) (VHS)

Also Known As:

"O Homem do Ano" - Brazil (original title)

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

Brazil

Language:

Portuguese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | UK:15

Company:

Conspiração Filmes

Movie Connections:

References Wild at Heart (1990)

It's more than a baby pig, much more!

I'm not sure just where in the USA this Brazilian film has been released but I'm grateful that it came to my small city...

I saw "City of God" and was mesmerized by its raw power and its characters struggling with their sordid lives of hopelessness. But "The Man of the Year" I had to see twice. Everything about this film appealed to me. Murilo Benicio as Maiquel is nothing less than brilliant as a quiet middle class loser - vain, smug, angry, brooding, thoughtful, remorseful, duped, and with a special fondness for a baby pig that is handed him as a gift. Many twists and turns of fate cause his life to take on dimensions similar to a Greek tragedy. The two women in his life are equally well-cast, along with just about everyone in the entire film. Maiquel struggles with two jealous women, life-long friendships, and along with his new job as a hit-man, he has more than enough to keep him brooding, on edge, questioning his actions, his fate. I could sense his desperation in every scene. And always, you empathize with him.

What made this movie especially powerful for me was the way it was filmed. I read that it is the first movie of director Jose Enrique Fonseca - this man has a real future! The beginning panorama of Rio at night, Murilo's apartment and the pet shop, the wedding, a dose of religion, the final round of killings, the Rave - these and other scenes were filmed with such beauty and panache, propelling the plot with momentum, vigor, color, even tenderness as the Murilo's life changes bigtime. There are touches of humor - being in the dentist's chair, bathing a baby pig, ranting about the pitfalls of marriage. The musical score added immensely to the film, and the camera angles and overall cinematography were expert.

Here's to filmmakers from Brazil, Mexico, and other countries in Central and South America! I hope this film has a wide release, it deserves it.