Manda Bala (Send a Bullet) (2007)

An examination of corruption and class warfare in Brazil as told through the stories of a wealthy businessman, a plastic surgeon who assists kidnapping victims and a politician whose income relies on a frog farm.

Director:

Jason Kohn

7 wins & 6 nominations.

Storyline

Several stories are told simultaneously: a frog farm in northern Brasil launders money for a corrupt politician; a young woman who was kidnapped for ransom talks about her ordeal; a plastic surgeon discusses then demonstrates how to reconstruct a severed ear; a young business man has his cars armored and takes a course in evasive driving; a policeman in Sao Paulo's anti-kidnapping squad discusses his work; a civil engineer, the attorney general, and a district attorney describe their anti-corruption efforts. Violence and corruption is Brasil: the object is money.

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Plot Keywords:

brazilian politics | latin american politics | politician | frog farm | frog | 

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Taglines:

When the rich steal from the poor... the poor steal the rich

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The kidnapper interviewed in the movie died in late 2006. The filmmakers said he was shot twice - in the shoulder and gut - in a shootout with police in which he killed two cops, was taken to the hospital and came out of the ambulance with a new bullet hole in his head.

User Reviews

Fantastic!

This movie is really excellent! I wish a Brazilian director had the guts to do it!

I read some stupid reviews here, like "what's with the frogs?" or complaining about the use of strong images, that the subjects should be 2 different movies, "there was no a-ha moment"... come on... seriously??

This movie is not about "a-ha moments" like stupid fiction movies. This is not Sunday afternoon entertainment. This is about what people have to deal daily. There are no bad guys or good guys. It's not that clear. There are good guys depending on how much you can afford...

Corruption, criminality and violence are all consequences. They are part of a never-ending cycle that began long ago.

Congratulations for the director, producer and crew.

Details

Official Sites:

City Light Picures [Brazil]

Country:

Brazil USA

Language:

English Portuguese

Release Date:

19 April 2009 (Greece)

Also Known As:

Manda Bala (Send a Bullet)

Filming Locations:

Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,030, 19 August 2007

Gross USA:

$122,905

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$127,145

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kilo Films, Whitest Pouring Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.69 : 1