O bandido da luz vermelha

  • 92'
  • Brazil
  • 1968
'Third world is going to explode! Those who wear shoes won’t survive!' Cinema and life on the fringes, Brazil, poverty, and the Boca do Lixo writ large in 21-year-old Sganzerla’s feature debut, widely considered one of the great Brazilian films.
Jorge, a suave bandit/rapist (sketched from the exploits of real-life crook João Acácio Pereira da Costa), rapidly rises to the ranks of crime superstardom. Feared by police, desired by housemaids, mythologised by journalists, he hardly exists in a vacuum of sleaze: dubious cops, politicians, and businessmen encircle Jorge at every corner of the bustling metropolis.
Enjoyably crude, Sganzerla’s bandit creation is equal parts Mickey Spillane and Mario Andrade (Macunaíma), a hero barely contained by the slum universe that created him. Complemented by paramour Janete Jane (played with uncommon verve by Helena Ignez), Jorge briefly finds an escape before resuming the path of obliteration.
Director
Rogério Sganzerla
Country of production
Brazil
Year
1968
Festival Edition
IFFR 2012
Length
92'
Medium
35mm
International title
The Red Light Bandit
Language
Portuguese
Producers
Rogério Sganzerla, José Alberto Reis
Production Company
Urano Filmes
Screenplay
Rogério Sganzerla
Cinematography
Peter Overbeck
Editor
Silvio Renoldi, Silvio Renoldi
Production Design
Andrea Tonacci
Sound Design
Rogério Sganzerla
Music
Rogério Sganzerla
Cast
Helena Ignez, Paulo Vilaça
Director
Rogério Sganzerla
Country of production
Brazil
Year
1968
Festival Edition
IFFR 2012
Length
92'
Medium
35mm
International title
The Red Light Bandit
Language
Portuguese
Producers
Rogério Sganzerla, José Alberto Reis
Production Company
Urano Filmes
Screenplay
Rogério Sganzerla
Cinematography
Peter Overbeck
Editor
Silvio Renoldi, Silvio Renoldi
Production Design
Andrea Tonacci
Sound Design
Rogério Sganzerla
Music
Rogério Sganzerla
Cast
Helena Ignez, Paulo Vilaça