Tropa de Elite (Berlinale review)

Posted on February 12, 2008 by E
Filed Under Reviews |

Cidade de Deus is probably the most famous Brazilian film in recent memory. The frenetic-editing, the high-energy score, the camerawork that made the film look like it was always filmed on the (literal) run…and the high-peril lives of the people that lived in the notorious favela called Cidade de Deus (City of God), all added up to the reintroduction of Brazilian cinema in the world’s eyes.
Tropa de Elite is set in 1997 (was that really eleven years ago?) in the days running up to a visit by the pope to Rio de Janeiro. Captain Nascimento (Lower City’s Wagner Moura) from BOPE (Special Police Operation Battalion) has to eliminate any drug dealers who pose a risk to the safety of the Pope, who intends to stay in a nearby slum during his visit.
At the same time, Nascimento who is soon to become a father is seeking a replacement for his high-stress and dangerous job so that he can be with his family. Intertwined with his story is the tale of two idealistic friends Neto (Caio Junqueira) and Matias (André Ramiro) who think they can make a difference by joining the police. When they encounter the corruption, bureaucracy and sheer inefficiency rampant in the Military Police (that is actually supposed to protect the people), they decide to enroll in the more hardcore BOPE instead.
The lives of Nascimento, Neto and Matias’s lives intersect much like the way this story scrolls back and forth in time to help clarify a complex tale of deception, betrayal and questioned loyalties (to job and family). Along the way the film helps provide another insight into the complexities inherent in contemporary Brazilian life. And in so doing, the film also manages to offer parallels to the universal questions of truth and honour that exist in every modern civilization, from First World to Third.
Consider Tropa de Elite (The Elite Squad) a sibling film to Cidade and you’ll get a quick sense of what to expect. The film employs several of the techniques (both visual and storytelling) of its more famous predecessor and it does it with the same taste for violence that caused so much debate around the earlier film.
While the action is guaranteed to cause audiences to squirm in their seats, Tropa also hints at the amount that can be achieved with handheld cameras and alert editing. Since this film explores different aspects of the same situation it offers several insights into the effect the lives of these men can have, not just on the criminal element but also on family, lovers and even friends or acquaintances. Some of the people pay for their mere association with members of this elite squad of cops, with their lives.
Directed by documentary filmmaker José Padilha (this is his debut fiction feature) Tropa, which had its World Premiere at the Berlinale, is energetic, raw, colourful and violent. On some days, what more can you ask of your cinema?

   

Comments

One Response to “Tropa de Elite (Berlinale review)”

  1. Fabricio on February 17th, 2008 1:51 am

    Finally a review in english language that grasped the complexity involved in this movie! Thank you for the balanced approach. The early reductionist labels of ‘fascist’ presented by some critics during the berlinale failed to perceive that. The movie, obviously, is not a propaganda piece for authoritarianism and violence. Much to the contrary. It is an incredibly relevant call to reflection, especially when that violence does not strike you as abnormal (for many who, like me, live in overcroweded poor third world countries this in everyday news). Hope the Golden Bear encourages some critics to release their eurocentric and arrogant mantle and watch the movie again. It is not that the movie is faultless. Much to the contrary. There is a lot of points to be discussed, some criticism for certain. That been said, reviews such as the one on variety is a deplorable exercise of prejudice and thoughtless judgement. Cheers, Fabricio

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