For me watching the movie, this is an unfamiliar city. This unfamiliarity doesn't just come from language or skin color. It's hard to imagine that on one side are the rising aristocrats, and on the other side are the slums in the middle of the mountain. It can be the impression of the enthusiastic samba capital. But it is a hell city riddled with holes. This is the Rio Rene, who was forgotten and indulged by God under the director's camera.
In a semi-documentary style, the director tries to use the camera to record every class in Rio without judging. A special police officer waiting for the birth of his son, a police officer who divides the spoils unevenly, and a naive college student with a dreamy idea. Of course, the protagonists are undoubtedly the two rookie policemen who are eager to make a difference. We know one of them will be the SWAT captain's successor. However, there is no doubt that both are unqualified. Neto, who deals with auto parts all day, is too stubborn and eager to act; on the other hand, college student MATIAS is too thoughtful. The ending is undoubtedly meaningful. NETO's bloodlust killed him, and MATIAS completed the final transformation while killing the enemy for his friend. Violence is a double-edged sword, but, here, you have no choice.
The director's use of natural light is also a shocking part of the film. Many times, the characters stand against the light. Under the strong contrast of light and dark, we cannot see the expressions of the characters, but the outlines of the face corners are clearly discernible. The sun here has no temperature, but it is so strong. As absolute as the law of survival in this city. In the film, there are many scenes of SWAT police covering their heads with plastic bags during interrogation. I heard someone in the crowd complain about "inhumanity". However, at the end of the film I had an epiphany. This city will make you absolute. Because there is nowhere for the wall-riders to survive, because people die every day. It is the greatest compassion to not let the relatives around you cry. Violence is the only solution. All you can choose is your enemy and your position. Because only in this way can you calmly face everything after the violence. For example, the tears of the lookout boy's mother.
I remember Jia Zhangke saying that filmmakers can bring a marginalized issue into mainstream attention through films. This is the power of film and the social responsibility of filmmakers. The film is said to have been banned in Brazil. And we, thousands of miles away, watched their lives without sorrow or joy. I don't dare to say that I understand, but I just want to say that if there is such a perspective, it should be hope.
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