Very interesting documentary about an electoral campaign in a small town in Northeastern Brazil, Camocim de São Félix (48,6 Km distant from Caruaru and 122 Km from Recife). It is very interesting to see elements that are particularly common in local level politics outside capital cities, such as lack of programmatic discussion, political violence, vote buying, clientelism, absence of partisanship (loyalty is based mostly on personalistic linkage), strong religious elements in politics, and family oligarchies. The film would have been even better if it had a more clear sound and if it were more focused. Director chose to merge a more general attention to mayor election with takes on the campaign of a candidate for local Legislature supported by an idealistic girl who was a friend of him. No problem, but, besides showing elements of her private life that do not help in narrative, there were transitions between those three parts (the contest of mayor, the legislative candidate and the girl's personal life) that made the film a little confusing sometimes. Despite being indeed very able to express herself, that girl was quite naive and not politically conscious as the director seemed to consider. A good example of it was her support for opposition candidate. He is the son on a previous mayor, and his slogans said "This is the time for the boy" and "Before, the father; now, the son". She explained that had previously supported current mayor and, disappointed, was now supporting the opposition candidate, and added: "His father is a problem, but he has his own ideas". Too naive... it is a family oligarchy! The documentary definitely worth being watched for anyone who is interested in elections, anyway. The last but not least: that local election happened during 2016 coup (a fake impeachment process that ousted president Dilma Rousseff), and it is interesting to see how it was an issue completely ignored by all contestants.
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