Four Days in September

Rating:
Summary: Sticks with you
Review: I saw "Four Days in September" when in came out in U.S. theaters in 1999. It has stuck with me since then, mostly because of Alan Arkin's fabulous performance as Ambassador Charles Embrick. But, also, because of the way the film brings to light for its audience what life was like in Brazil during the miltary dictatorship of 1969 - 1979. And, because of its very understated manner of showing you how this small, underground group of anti-regimists coalesced, got its training, and put its thoughts into actions. It all feels very real. No Hollywood-ization here.

If you want an entertaining *and* eductional evening, rent or buy "Four Days in September." You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Watch this movie: 60's in Brazil must not be forgotten
Review: I think this movie was fantastic, but, first of all, in order to understand it, one must watch it trying to understand the socio-political reality of that time in Brazil. I was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1970 and lived there until 1995 and as a Brazilian Citizen who went through a part of the historical period shown in that movie, I must say I thought it was sad such a thing happened and even sadder the fact "Four Days in September" portrays a true story. However, I must also say that I am very happy that the Dictatorship Period, which started to be extremely harsh in Brazil during the 60's, has not been thrown into an old trunk of things to be forgotten. It is fantastic that we Brazilians are striving to keep those memories alive until all the shadows of that period be completely gone. Also, I must confess I thought it to be even greater that the originality of one young man, "Fernando Gabeira", and the courage and audacy of a few other young "Comrades" were able to bend the Dictatorial Military structure of Brazil so fast. A big kiss on all involved with this project, specially to "Cláudia Abreu" who has been on my mind since she played "Heloísa" in "Anos Rebeldes", a Brazilian TV Series on the Brazilian Military Dictatorship Period as well. May we never forget the 60's so they cannot ever come back! Valeu, gente! Márcio Padilha

Rating:
Summary: Very interesting, very well done
Review: My family was in Brazil 1969-1971. As a matter of fact, my father was with the American embassy during the kidnapping. I remember hearing bits and pieces. This movie fills in some of the gaps, but also illustrates how pivotal this event was and how we still see such desparate measures taken throughout the world.

Rating:
Summary: Great Film, Excellent Surprise.
Review: My girlfriend found this movie in a used film/CD store in Denver. She knew this film had been nominated for an academy award a few years ago. It was snowy and cold so we decided to stay home and watch it. It is great, really good. It gives us a shocking view of what was going on in Latin America, a story that was never told here in the US. I never heard of this episode, and the movie made me research more about it. It made me proud of our ambassador, a corageous, brave, yet vulnerable man while in captivity, and on the other hand made me ashamed to know that my country was supporting all that repression in Brazil. Besides, that Claudia Abreu chick is HOT!!! Impressive acting by Arkin and the Brazilian actors.

Rating:
Summary: Echoes of today
Review: Seeing this film at this moment in history is instructive. Issues of repression, coups d'etat, torture of prisoners, radical extremists - it all rings very "current." The story of Brazil's military coup was sadly ignored in this country, and in these times, we should all be watching carefully.

It is a fine and complex film, highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A film for everybody who wants to know more about Brazil.
Review: Sometimes as a Brazilian living surrounded by foreigners, I have a real hard time explainig why some things are the way they are down here. This film is able to show a portion of the recent history of our country in a very enjoyable way. It should be watched by all of those who want to get in touch with the new Brazilian cinema and have a better feeling of what my parents'generation went through to make this country what it is now.

Rating:
Summary: A fair view of Brazilians
Review: The political History of Brazil is very complicated and this movie shows a portion of it. But is also shows how people all over the world are the same. Even though they kidnap the American Embassador, all of them have feelings just like you and me. You don't need to be Brazilian or an expert on Latin America History to understand and like it. Ligia Lipinski

Rating:
Summary: A great movie in spite of some minor inaccuracies
Review: This movie faced a lot of criticism in Brazil for the liberties it took with history. Some criticism dates back to the publication of Fernando Gabeira's book, mainly the fact that Gabeira's importance in the kidnapping is overplayed. Other survivors from the operation claim he did not write the note to the press, as the movie shows. Also, a girl did try to get information from the Ambassador's security man, but she did not spend the night with him (and those who like to spot errors may notice the fact that he calls her by her code name, René, even though she introduced herself by a different name). And one just has to read other books about those days in Brazil to realize most torturers were sick animals, not guilt-ridden human beings like the guy in the movie.

In spite of all these flaws, the movie still works admirably as a snapshot of an era. I understand it was rather easy to sell this movie to the international market because Alan Arkin is in it and the event it is based on involved the kidnapping of an American ambassador. But it would be great if people all over the world could also see another movie titled "Pra Frente Brasil". The story is fictitious but inspired by actual facts: while the 1970 World Cup is taking place and the whole Brazilian population is glued to television sets, a guy is captured by mistake and tortured to death by the police. Brazil won that World Cup, so the whole country was in a celebratory mood while the horrors of repression were happening in the underground.