Four Days in September (1997)

Fernando, a journalist, and his friend César join terrorist group MR8 in order to fight Brazilian dictatorial regime during the late sixties. Cesare, however, is wounded and captured during... See full summary »

Director:

Bruno Barreto

Writers:

Fernando Gabeira (novel), Leopoldo Serran

Stars:

Alan Arkin, Pedro Cardoso, Fernanda Torres

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Arkin	...	Charles Burke Elbrick
Fernanda Torres	...	Maria
Pedro Cardoso	...	Fernando Gabeira / Paulo
Luiz Fernando Guimarães	...	Marcão
Cláudia Abreu	...	Reneé
Nelson Dantas	...	Toledo
Matheus Nachtergaele	...	Jonas
Marco Ricca	...	Henrique
Maurício Gonçalves	...	Brandão
Caio Junqueira	...	Julio
Selton Mello	...	Oswaldo
Eduardo Moscovis	...	Artur
Caroline Kava	...	Elvira Elbrick
Fisher Stevens	...	Mowinkel
Fernanda Montenegro	...	Dona Margarida

Storyline

Fernando, a journalist, and his friend César join terrorist group MR8 in order to fight Brazilian dictatorial regime during the late sixties. Cesare, however, is wounded and captured during a bank hold up. Fernando then decides to kidnap the American ambassador in Brazil and ask for the release of fifteen political prisoners in exchange for his life.

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Plot Keywords:

friend | bank | brazilian | prisoner | political prisoner | 

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Taglines:

Their goal: freedom. Their only hope: an international incident. Their target: the American ambassador.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Miramax

Country:

Brazil USA

Language:

Portuguese English

Release Date:

30 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Four Days in September

Filming Locations:

Ponto Filmes, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$32,017, 1 February 1998, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$310,724, 22 February 1998

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Television Trading Company, Filmes do Equador, Luiz Carlos Barreto Produções Cinematográficas

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film cast includes two Oscar winners: Alan Arkin and Fisher Stevens; and one Oscar nominee: Fernanda Montenegro.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 16 mins) Shortly before 8:30 PM on the final day, late in the countdown to 10:00 PM, Maria's watch clearly shows the hands at approximately 9:32.

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Quotes

[about Maria, the leader of MR-8]
Fernando Gabeira: She either wants to fuck me or fuck me over.

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Connections

References Black God, White Devil (1964)

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Soundtracks

Intermezzo sinfonico
from "Cavalleria rusticana"
Music by Pietro Mascagni

User Reviews

Great movie recording Brazilian history

Four days in September is not supposed to be funny, predictable, or boring. It is a piece of Brazilian history from the 60's and based on real events. Those dark years of Brazilian history are not supposed to be fun. It was certainly not boring either. For those who admire different cultures it is a great movie and a great introduction to contemporary Brazilian history. It starts with Girl from Ipanema and lots of images of a country that was enjoying itself in the years before the military coup. Leila Diniz, Bossa Nova, all was allowed before the military coup in 1964 and hence compose the first scenes of the movie. Characters are based on real participants of the kidnapping and Fernando Gabeira (Paulo) is still engaged in politics in Brazil. It's also worth noting that Fernanda Montenegro (Dona Margarida) and Fernanda Torres (andreia/Maria) (mother and daugther in real life) are both in this movie. It's a great piece for those who are willing to learn a little bit more about an amazing country that is Brazil.