Carandiru (2003)

Brazilian MD Drauzio Varella starts AIDS prevention in Brazil's largest prison, Carandiru, in São Paulo, where the population is nearly double its 4,000 maximum. Doc learns from experience ... See full summary »

Director:

Hector Babenco

Writers:

Hector Babenco, Fernando Bonassi

Stars:

Enrique Diaz, Wagner Moura, Caio Blat

16 wins & 33 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos	...	Médico - Physician
Milton Gonçalves	...	Chico
Ivan de Almeida	...	Nego Preto - Ebony
Ailton Graça	...	Majestade
Maria Luísa Mendonça	...	Dalva
Aida Leiner	...	Rosirene (as Aída Leiner)
Rodrigo Santoro	...	Lady Di
Gero Camilo	...	Sem Chance - No Way
Lázaro Ramos	...	Ezequiel
Caio Blat	...	Deusdete
Wagner Moura	...	Zico
Julia Ianina	...	Francineide
Sabrina Greve	...	Catarina
Floriano Peixoto	...	Antônio Carlos
Ricardo Blat	...	Claudiomiro

Storyline

Brazilian MD Drauzio Varella starts AIDS prevention in Brazil's largest prison, Carandiru, in São Paulo, where the population is nearly double its 4,000 maximum. Doc learns from experience and mainly stories the tragic stories of hideous crimes which landed scum there and passionate dramas adding otherwise decent people. Just when he believes to leave the prisoners happy with a soccer tournament, a silly clothing line argument kick-starts a politically opportune revolt repression.

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Plot Keywords:

doctor | brazilian prison system | lgbt in brazil | crime in brazil | brazil | 

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Taglines:

Aqui dentro ninguém é culpado. Você acredita nisso? (Inside here nobody is guilty. Do you believe that?)

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Genres:

Drama | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody violence/carnage, language, sexuality and drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dr. Drauzio Varella wrote the original book at the encouragement of a patient he was treating for lymphatic cancer. That very patient happened to be Hector Babenco, who recovered and went on to direct the film adaptation.

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Goofs

One of the inmates is wearing a Brazilian national team football shirt with four stars, representing the four times that Brazil was FIFA world-champion. But the movie ends in the massacre of 1992, two years before they won the fourth title.

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Quotes

Lady Di: I've come to take the test.
Médico - Physician: Please, take a seat. First, I'd like to ask you a few questions, Lady Di.
Lady Di: I've seen this movie before, doctor. I've never needed a blood transfusion and I never pierce my veins. The only drug I use is a joint now and then... when I watch TV or for a little romance.
Médico - Physician: And partners, how many?
Lady Di: Oh, about 2000.

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Connections

Referenced in Prisoner of the Iron Bars (2003)

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Soundtracks

Crucificados pelo Sistema
Written by João Gordo (as João Francisco Benedan), João Carlos Molina Esteves, Jarbas Alves
Performed by Ratos de Porão (as Ratos do Porão)

User Reviews

great hymn of life and humanity

Carandiru is a true hymn of humanity in all of us. What let the Brazilian riot squad shoot down over a hundred inmates was that following both prejudice and the professional drilling they had been subjected to, they regarded the rioters of 1992 as nothing but worthless scum. Bebenco does not defend his characters. Based on the eyewitness account of the prison physician, he presents us with assassins, murderers, robbers and drug-dealers who do not even claim they do not deserve their sentences (although many were kept in prison without convictions). What made them human was their continuous contact with the world outside. The visitation day scene is a memorable tribute to life in a truly Christian sense - everyone deserves to live and to hope not because of his own qualities or deeds, but because of the love others share for him. The character of the serial killer Dagger was essential to this purpose. His solitude in the midst of the modest pleasures of everybody else visited by his close ones was the first sign of the overcoming guilt which eventually took him to the preacher. Let this review not be understood as if the movie pursues to proselytize the viewers; I hope not to be too cynical to say that its prime purpose is to rejoice - to rejoice with the great diversity of human characters to whom Dr Varella and H. Bebenco paid their tribute.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site . Photos, trailer, plot, etc. (Portuguese, English) Sony Pictures Classics [United States]

Country:

Brazil Argentina Italy

Language:

Portuguese

Release Date:

11 April 2003 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Carandiru

Filming Locations:

Carandiru Prision, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Box Office

Budget:

BRL12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$17,945, 16 May 2004

Gross USA:

$216,335

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,781,635

Company Credits

Production Co:

BR Petrobrás, Columbia TriStar Filmes do Brasil, Globo Filmes

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min 148 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1