These documentaries about Brazil, the largest country in South America, show a land of captivating beauty, cultural diversity, and complex social dynamics.
From its lush Amazon rainforests to the vibrant energy of its cities and the rich tapestry of its history, Brazil offers a plethora of fascinating stories and subjects.
Documentaries About Brazil
Whether delving into the socio-economic challenges faced by its diverse population, shedding light on its unique music and art scenes, or showcasing the breathtaking natural landscapes, documentaries about Brazil offer a captivating journey into the heart of this multifaceted nation.
Brazil with Michael Palin (2012)
Let’s start the list with a positively upbeat look at modern Brazil with one of the best travellers in the world. Brazil with Michael Palin is a travel documentary series presented by the British comedian and actor Michael Palin. It consists of four episodes.
The series follows Michael Palin as he explores various regions of Brazil, showcasing its diverse culture, landscapes, and people. Throughout the series, Michael Palin travels across Brazil, from bustling cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to remote and lesser-known areas of the country.
He engages with the locals, tries regional foods, and participates in various cultural activities, providing viewers with an in-depth and entertaining look at the country.
This is part of a series of travel documentaries that Michael Palin has produced, and are known for their combination of travel exploration, humour, and cultural insights.
This is one of the best travel documentaries about Brazil you can watch and is indeed my favourite series in the country.
Clip from the series:
Waste Land (2010)
Waste Land was released in 2010 and garnered critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and thought-provoking subject matter.
Waste Land primarily focuses on the Brazilian artist Vik Muniz, who returns to his home country of Brazil with the intention of creating artwork using materials found in Jardim Gramacho, which is one of the world’s largest garbage dumps.
The film captures Muniz’s journey as he collaborates with the “catadores,” a group of individuals who make their living by scavenging recyclable materials from the landfill. Muniz works closely with these individuals to create large-scale portraits of them using the materials they collect.
The documentary not only showcases Muniz’s artistic process but also delves into the lives and stories of the catadores, highlighting their struggles and dreams. It explores themes of poverty, environmental issues, and the transformative power of art.
Waste Land received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2011. It sheds light on important social and environmental issues while celebrating the resilience and creativity of the human spirit.
Bus 174 (2002)
Bus 174 was released in 2002 and is known for its gripping and intense portrayal of a real-life hostage crisis that occurred in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The documentary primarily focuses on the events surrounding a bus hijacking in Rio de Janeiro on June 12, 2000. A young man named Sandro do Nascimento, who had a troubled past and had experienced homelessness, poverty, and involvement in criminal activities, hijacked a city bus and took the passengers hostage.
The film combines actual footage of the hostage situation, news broadcasts, and interviews with people involved, including hostages, law enforcement officials, and social workers.
Bus 174 not only captures the dramatic and suspenseful events of the hostage situation but also delves into the socio-economic issues and systemic problems that contributed to Sandro’s desperate actions.
The film raises questions about poverty, inequality, and the failures of the criminal justice system in Brazil. This is one of the best documentaries about Brazil to watch.
The Edge of Democracy (2019)
The Edge of Democracy was released in 2019 and explores the recent political history of Brazil, with a particular focus on the rise and fall of the Workers’ Party (PT) and the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff.
The documentary provides an insider’s perspective on the political turmoil that gripped Brazil in the early 21st century. It features interviews with key political figures, including Dilma Rousseff and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as well as archival footage and personal narratives from Petra Costa herself.
The Edge of Democracy offers a critical examination of the challenges faced by Brazilian democracy, including issues of corruption, political polarization, and the erosion of democratic institutions.
It also delves into the social and economic disparities in the country, highlighting the protests and social movements that emerged during this period.
The film received international acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2020.
Beyond Citizen Kane (1993)
Beyond Citizen Kane was released in 1993 and primarily focuses on the life and impact of the Brazilian media mogul Roberto Marinho and his role in shaping the Brazilian media landscape.
The title of the documentary, “Beyond Citizen Kane,” is a reference to Orson Welles’ classic film “Citizen Kane,” which is often regarded as one of the greatest films in cinematic history.
The documentary suggests parallels between the fictional character of Charles Foster Kane in “Citizen Kane” and Roberto Marinho, portraying Marinho as a powerful and influential figure in Brazilian media who wields significant political and social influence.
Beyond Citizen Kane explores the control and concentration of media ownership in Brazil, the political manipulation of information, and the implications of such control for democracy and society. It also delves into the complex relationship between media, politics, and power in Brazil.
The documentary is known for its critical perspective on Marinho and his media empire, and it sparked controversy and legal disputes when it was released due to its allegations and criticisms.
Despite the controversies, Beyond Citizen Kane remains a notable and thought-provoking documentary on the subject of media ownership and its influence on society.
This is one of the best documentaries about Brazil if you have an interest in the media empire there.
Tropicália (2012)
“Tropicália” delves into the cultural and musical movement known as Tropicália (or Tropicalismo) in Brazil during the 1960s.
Tropicália was a revolutionary and influential cultural movement that emerged in Brazil, blending elements of music, art, theatre, and poetry. It was characterized by its eclectic and innovative approach to creativity and its desire to challenge conventions and the status quo in Brazilian society.
Key figures in the Tropicália movement included musicians like Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, and Os Mutantes, among others.
The documentary “Tropicália” not only explores the music and art of this movement but also delves into the social and political context in which it emerged.
It addresses the censorship and repression that artists faced under Brazil’s military dictatorship at the time and how Tropicália became a form of resistance and a vehicle for expressing dissent.
The film combines archival footage, interviews with key figures from the Tropicália movement, and artistic performances to provide a comprehensive and engaging look at this important period in Brazilian cultural history.
Tropicália is an essential documentary for those interested in Brazilian music, art, and the sociopolitical dynamics of the 1960s in Brazil.
The Waters of The Amazon | DW Documentary
This is a great, and free, documentary about the waters of the Amazon. This is one of the best documentaries about Brazil if you have an interest in the Amazon Rainforest.
Watch on YouTube:
Brazil’s Atlantic Forest – Nature Paradise in Danger
Another free one to watch on YouTube and perfect if you want to learn more about the nature of the Atlantic forest of Brazil in the Serra do Mar State Park.
Watch on YouTube:
Elena (2012)
Elena is directed by Petra Costa, a Brazilian filmmaker known for her poignant and personal storytelling. The film was released in 2012 and is a deeply intimate and autobiographical exploration of Petra Costa’s own family history.
The documentary primarily focuses on Petra’s relationship with her older sister, Elena, who tragically took her own life at a young age. Through a combination of home videos, photographs, and personal narration, Petra paints a moving and haunting portrait of her sister’s life and struggles.
She also reflects on her family’s history and their experiences during Brazil’s political turmoil, particularly during the military dictatorship.
Elena is a contemplative and visually poetic documentary that blurs the lines between personal memoir and historical reflection. It explores themes of memory, identity, loss, and the complex interplay between personal and political histories.
World’s Most Dangerous Places: Brazil
A more serious “other side of the coin” look at Brazil and some of the trouble it faces with crime in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and also the problems facing the LGBT community there.
Watch the full documentary free on YouTube:
Brazil
These documentaries about Brazil offer a diverse range of perspectives on the country, from its culture and politics to its environmental and social issues.
They provide valuable insights into the complexities of this vibrant and diverse country.
Take a look at the 10 best books about Brazil to further your understanding of the country and its people.
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