Barrela: Escola de Crimes

This is specially for the ones who don't know Brazilian cinema yet. The films made here have been highly recommended worldwide since "O Quatrilho" was a nominee for the Oscar. We can forget Brazilian movies were well considered in 40's, 50's and 60's too. The 70's and 80's weren't good for the Seventh Art here. OK, I'm Brazilian, so anything I say here may be taken as something patriot or false, but I tell you all, watch things life "O Que é Isso Companheiro?" (a.k.a Four Days in September),"Central do Brasil" (a.k.a Central Station), "Abril Despedaçado" (a.k.a Behind the Sun) or "Cidade de Deus" (City of God). I know it may be difficult to find outside Brazil borders, but if you got the chance, don't lose a second and see how such an old theme can be retold in a hard, shocking but still nice way.

In "Barrela" everything happens in a prison cell. Six men discuss their problems, fight their own ghosts and have their conflicts. There's a man who happens to be the sheriff (the one all the others must obey), a mental disturbed guy and some others criminals who then receive a seventh member there. It's a heavy atmosphere from the beginning to the end of the film (that is just 72 minutes long). It was adapted form a play and it keeps the taste of theatre.

My rate 8/10