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 & 5 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:

politician | frog farm | frog | corruption | ransom | 

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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

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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$111,444, 14 October 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kilo Films, Whitest Pouring Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.69 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The filmmakers struggled to find a kidnapper to film after the bribes to get into the prison where their preferred interviewee was staying proved too steep. The driver of a cab they used one day delivered "packages" on the side for a kidnapper, and introduced them to the masked man interviewed extensively in the film. Director Jason Kohn also was at the kidnapper's home when police stopped by and walked around the outside, the one moment of filming he said he feared for his life.

User Reviews

Best Documentary Ever?

I created an account just to review this movie. Well, especially in light of there being reviews with less than nine stars. Documentaries inform viewers of specific problems, but rarely deliver such powerful messages.

Apparently, though, some did not come away with it. It's clear, however, just not black and white. Things are not as easy as A and B in Brazil, or anywhere for that matter. If you don't get it, if you don't understand the ambiguity, then you are more than likely one of the many people responsible for perpetuating leaders like Jader.

Using beautiful shots and great taste in music, Kohn will take you on an fantastically varying exploration of extremely interesting characters. From a host of view points, you will see the "good" and "bad," "heroes" and "villains" of Brazil, and be forced to contemplate politics and human nature.

P.S. If you still don't get it at all. "Corruption cannot be seen only as someone has stolen money for himself,corruption is the thing that links all other crimes." (11:16)