The latest Brazilian film seen was Elite Squad (2007) directed by Jose Padilha and controversial winner of the 2008 Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Is a violent story of the elite police squad of Rio de Janeiro that is trained paramilitary style to combat the machine gun wielding gangs of Rio. This story takes place in 1997 anticipating the Pope's visit, which means making the city safe from clashes with drug gangs. A captain within the BOPE (the elite squad) is looking to retire but must find a replacement there are two honest cops who are friends that might fit the bill and their stories are intertwined with that of the new father and short time Captain of a BOPE squad. Their methods are not exactly legal, however they do believe in law and order and want to eradicate the drugs that are destroying the lives of countless Brazilians. The films clearly owes something to the break through hit of City of God, some critics found the violence repugnant. However, I found the film to be highly engaging and entertaining if not somewhat fantastical-something not unlike a Tarantino film.
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