Madame Sata
September 29th 2008 00:52
This 2002 Brazlian movie examines the real life story of Joăo Francisco dos Santos, a poor, black, gay Brazilian that tries desperately to cling to some identity, but fills the screen with rage and violence.
He spent 27 years in prison; when not incarcerated, he lived in squalor among junkies and prostitutes, living in the underbelly of Brazil. The film, "Madame Sata" gives us a ferocious look at the life of this Brazilian outlaw, who struggled with his inner desire to be a showgirl, a performer.
Santos is a queen, aching to be seen on stage, to hear the cries and shouts of a crowd. Despite this, he tells us that he is 'still a man'.
There's no doubt about that - black-skinned like obsidian, his fearsome eyes glaring into the night, his powerful frame asserts his dominance in the slums of Rio - when an angry john pulls a gun on Santos, he spins and gracefully kicks the gun out of his attacker's hand, then viciously kicks him in the stomach. He is armed with capoeira, a form of Brazilian martial arts that combines fluidity of movement with acrobatic kicks and spins.
The film focuses on Santos inner struggle - though he's capable of defending himself, and he has a rather comfortable, self-sustaining life, he despises himself. He lives with a female prostitute, her baby daughter, and another gay black man. The three of them live in a oddly comforting reflection of the typical nuclear family, going for walks in the park and having little parties.
Santos flies into sudden rage, striking out at those close to him, hitting and screaming. He stands defiantly against the police and bouncers, who evaluate him as another piece of wreckage in the slums of Rio. He hates himself for being poor, black and gay, three afflictions that seem to pull him down at every step.
The film provides little insight into the struggle within Santos, leaving the viewer to guess what lies behind those angry eyes and the defiant set of his jaws. "Madame Sata" refuses to give the viewer an easy way out, instead delivering Santos in drag, happily shrieking and twisting on stage, as the crowd erupts into cheers.
I say: Brazilian films seem to carry so much vitality and this one rocks the spot. Even though the slums are full of poor, mistreated people, they smile and laugh like no one else.
See it for: Luís Lázaro Sacramento Ramos plays Santos and he's unbelievable as the stony-faced drag queen, tall and proudly defiant, but slippery and agile on stage.
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I've heard great things about Brazilian cinema, and Madame Sata brings that infectious Rio atmosphere in spades...