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Bus 174 (2003)
Runtime: 2 hrs 2 mins
Synopsis: June 12, 2000, is a day that will forever be remembered by the people of Brazil. Early that morning, as the citizens of Rio de Janeiro woke up and made their way to work and school, several people fell victim to a dangerous hijacking on a bus near the city's historic botanical gardens. A lone... June 12, 2000, is a day that will forever be remembered by the people of Brazil. Early that morning, as the citizens of Rio de Janeiro woke up and made their way to work and school, several people fell victim to a dangerous hijacking on a bus near the city's historic botanical gardens. A lone gunman, seemingly insane or under the influence of narcotics, held his victims captive as authorities--and television cameras--surrounded the parked bus. Unable to determine his motives or purpose, the authorities stood their ground for four hours and tried to talk the hijacker into giving himself up. Meanwhile, the television cameras recorded every second with shocking intimacy, capturing the attention of the entire nation for the duration of the standoff. Jose Padilha's nail-biting documentary thrillingly recounts the events of that fateful day, and also gives voice to the hijacker, 21-year-old Sandro do Nascimento. At a very young age, Sandro watched his mother be murdered. Later, as an orphaned teenager living on the streets of Rio, he survived the brutal police slaughter of several of his homeless friends. Poor, hopeless, and hooked on cocaine, Sandro finally reached his breaking point. Padilha's unflinching thriller boldly gives voice to Nascimento, proving that he also was a victim in this unfortunate situation. [More]
Genre: Foreign Films
DVD Info
Release:
Aug 7, 2005
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Stereo - English
Reviews
Padilha allows neither easy answers nor ironic commentary, producing on both sides of the conflict a world of inconsolable grief.
reminds audiences that simple techniques are sometimes the most effective means of telling a dramatic story
A sizzling Brazilian real-life documentary by director Jose Padilha that outdoes reality TV in its dosage of reality.
Full of the kind of surprises, twists and cruel irony that have fueled many a Hollywood thriller.
Examines how this tragic saga stemmed from the deep fissures in Brazilian society, which pit a vast population of slum-dwelling street kids against the police and society at large.
This smart, absorbing movie, which has been sharply edited by Felipe Lacerda, never feels like it's spreading itself too thin.
It's a chilling tale that leaves us with the fear that Latin America's exploding social problems may well be beyond solution.
An extraordinary portrait of a life lived always in the shadow of despair.
There's no denying the subject matter is compelling, and the heightened sense of tension goes a long way toward redeeming the film.
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