I'm under the impression that, unlike its subject matter, being part of this film has to have been a lot of fun, especially for the actors. There are moments here as you're watching the movie where you can tell the cast is having a great time on set, and although that doesn't speak well regarding how they're doing their job, it creates this "buddy atmosphere" and, weirdly, makes everything more welcoming, and delightful.
It's fascinating how similar this movie is to its "big brother," the undeniably best Brasilian film of the 2000s, 'City of God.' You'd find similarities between the two films story-wise, character-wise (though that's a given since both films revolve around the same culture), and also, the way the films are shot it's very similar too. Yet, unlike 'City of God,' 'Carandiru' leaves you wanting.
If it weren't for the last fifteen minutes, more or less, you'd think this film has nothing to do with any massacre. 'Carandiru' feels like an anthology film where it'd talk episodically about a few stand-out characters: the prison's most intriguing inmates. The characters are everything here, and the cast does a great job constantly keeping you engaged with them. Wagner Moura especially gives an enjoyable early performance in his career. Quick confession: for me, a massive fan of Moura's performance on 'Narcos,' seeing him here say, "Filho da puta," was a peculiar, most welcomed treat. I can see how part of this performance could've worked as the perfect audition for his role in 'Narcos.'
As I already mentioned, the film is shot very similarly to 'City of God.' There's a lot of hand-held camerawork here, which it's very fitting and effective in bringing the messy, flesh-and-blood intensity of prison life compellingly to our eyes. Alongside the hand-held camerawork, there's also the use steady camera here and there, which, again, it's effective but nothing worth noting. Visually, the film felt a bit bland - 101, basic stuff. And, I'm afraid that goes for the film overall if it weren't for the entertaining characters. 'Carandiru' is social realism seen with the utmost heartfelt eyes, but as a film, it's too episodic, often meandering, and that ending makes it all look like a numb mashup of a few short stories.
It's fascinating how similar this movie is to its "big brother," the undeniably best Brasilian film of the 2000s, 'City of God.' You'd find similarities between the two films story-wise, character-wise (though that's a given since both films revolve around the same culture), and also, the way the films are shot it's very similar too. Yet, unlike 'City of God,' 'Carandiru' leaves you wanting.
If it weren't for the last fifteen minutes, more or less, you'd think this film has nothing to do with any massacre. 'Carandiru' feels like an anthology film where it'd talk episodically about a few stand-out characters: the prison's most intriguing inmates. The characters are everything here, and the cast does a great job constantly keeping you engaged with them. Wagner Moura especially gives an enjoyable early performance in his career. Quick confession: for me, a massive fan of Moura's performance on 'Narcos,' seeing him here say, "Filho da puta," was a peculiar, most welcomed treat. I can see how part of this performance could've worked as the perfect audition for his role in 'Narcos.'
As I already mentioned, the film is shot very similarly to 'City of God.' There's a lot of hand-held camerawork here, which it's very fitting and effective in bringing the messy, flesh-and-blood intensity of prison life compellingly to our eyes. Alongside the hand-held camerawork, there's also the use steady camera here and there, which, again, it's effective but nothing worth noting. Visually, the film felt a bit bland - 101, basic stuff. And, I'm afraid that goes for the film overall if it weren't for the entertaining characters. 'Carandiru' is social realism seen with the utmost heartfelt eyes, but as a film, it's too episodic, often meandering, and that ending makes it all look like a numb mashup of a few short stories.