<AWARDS & NOMINATIONS>

CANNES FILMS FESTIVAL 2005
OFFICIAL SELECTION – UN CERTAIN REGARD
24TH YOUTH CRITICS PRIZE

RIO INTRERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2005
BEST FICTION FEATURE
BEST ACTRESS (ALICE BRAGA)

In Portuguese with English & Chinese subtitles
Genre: Drama
Director: Sergio Machado
Starring: Lázaro Ramos, Wagner Moura, Alice Braga, Maria Menezes, João Miguel Leonelli
RunTime: 1 hr 37 mins
Released By: Festive Films and Cathay-Keris
Rating: R21 (Sexual Content)
Official Website: www.festivefilms.com/lowercity

Opening Day: 28 September 2006

Synopsis :

‘Lower City’ is the story of a love triangle between friends Deco and Naldinho and stripper Karinna (Alice Braga from “City of God”) – a tale of jealousy, temptation and lust: the ultimate test of friendship. ‘Lower City’ is directed by Sergio Machado and produced by the director of ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’, Walter Salles.

Deco and Naldinho make their living running cargo and petty hustling on a motor boat they own as partners. When they meet stripper Karinna, both young men fall in love with her, starting a love triangle. Jealousy undermines the relationship, and the three break up, but they’re unable to remain alone. They are drawn back together, facing a path of no return.

Movie Review:

Please believe us, because we really attempted to try counting how many sex scenes this 97-minute film contains. This would be for the benefit of viewers who may not be able stomach raunchy lovemaking scenes in movies.

But please forgive us as well: we never managed to accomplish this mission. We lost count after the third lovemaking scene – because of how sexily charged the whole picture has become.

Set in the exotic ghettos of Brazil, this Portuguese-language feature tells the story of two lifelong friends whose lives are turned upside down when they meet a stripper. That’s about it for the story. The rest of the film’s highlights are: yes, you’ve guessed it, the sex between the three characters.

Director Sergio Machado relies heavily on style for this award-winning film, and has captured the sweaty, grungy and steamy feel of the Brazilian scorching streets. The movie makes you to look at it, with some very raw photography and forceful blinking neon lights. There is no way these images will escape your eyes.

Also, the travel bug in you may feel inspired to take a trip to Brazil, thanks to the picturesque shots of the country captured in this film. The rowdy streets, rustic run-down buildings and seedy nightclubs are enjoyably enticing. Marketed as a movie that will please fans of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Amores Perros (2000), Alfonso Cuaron’s Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) and Fernando Meirelles’ City of God (2002), this latest Brazilian import to reach our shores does not disappoint visually.

While the picture may not have much to offer in terms of plot, it is upheld by the potent and strong performances of its three leads.

Lazaro Ramos and Wagner Moura’s energy and anger are dished out fast and furious in their roles of the two guys whose friendship is put to test by a third party. The tension is felt on different levels, from their different skin colours to their brutal male egos. Alice Braga plays the prostitute, and puts her curves and sexuality to good use without making the role too distasteful or unlikable.

Maybe it is the genre of “sexy art-house” flicks like this that gives their directors a reason to tell stories in the edgiest possible way - so much so that viewers may not be able to engage themselves fully or empathize with the characters.

After a while, the audience will only be left hot and bothered by the sex scenes, and not the depressingly oppressed relationships between the three leads. While we have seen more effective storytelling from the abovementioned Latino films, this one’s narrative structure isn’t exactly its strongest aspect.

To be fair, there are a few scenes which showcase the director’s flair for getting the viewers’ attention. Look out for the scene where Moura’s character holds up a provision store. It is one gritty and livid scene that will stay with you for a while. The final scene may also leave some thoughtful viewers agape with awe, wondering about the desperation and dead ends the characters are faced with. To others, it may be unsatisfactorily abrupt.

If not, there are always the lusty sex scenes splattered all over the film, and should please those looking for an exhilarating experience at the movies.

Movie Rating:

(The sexually-charged film does not have the most exciting storyline, but does showcase some striking visuals and sturdy performances)

Review by John Li