Corpo Elétrico

"Corpo Elétrico" ("Electric Body") was the opening film of the Latin America Film Festival here in São Paulo, almost a month prior to its official release and that's where I had the opportunity to see it and love it. Despite our current crisis in several sectors, at least in film business we are getting stronger and daring each year goes by despite some say we aren't. Marcelo Caetano's first feature is an outstanding character study that seems to mirror the magic touches of "Moonlight", where we follow the life of a Northeast, gay, poor and hard-working character going through the motions of life trying to find his place in the world while living in a chaotic and troubled city while working on a clothes factory and the way he deals with colleagues, friends and sexual relationships that doesn't turn into a more substantial relation. "Electric Body" injects realism, life as it is even though it's not an everybody's reality but it certainly feels and looks true to life, and Mr. Caetano makes an inspired film that grabs the audience with its humor, sensibility and great storytelling.

According to the director, whose film title comes from a Walt Whitman poem which elevates the notion of celebrating and finding beauty in bodies, whatever the color, age and shapes, this is exactly what Elias is (the main character played by Kelner Macêdo). Someone who strives for something that holds meaning to him, even though he doesn't necessarily analyzes it. He has a certain satisfaction with his job but doesn't know exactly if he wants to reach something better or higher than that; he only finds some meaning in having pleasure and sex with other guys but a deeper commitment is out of the question; it's like he's discovering life and taking the chances that comes his way without thinking too much or feeling different about it. It's just how it goes. So, here's a daring film that avoids the usual clichéd path of creating a scenario where a LGBTQ character has to find a partner, and romance becomes the big issue. Clear and simple, Elias isn't meant for that, he lives, works, has companies like him and finds a relevance to everything. And the film never gets judgmental in saying that he's a promiscuous guy, unworthy of love and care; he's just a human being, experimenting, living and breathing the world around him, going like the waves he loves to admire back in his hometown and later on during a new year's holiday. That's what most of youth feels like: uncertain, slightly lost, trying to find a way through life, experimenting variations from a similar theme or not.

Here's a masterful picture that left me and the huge audience present in awe, marveled as each frame went by. Mr. Caetano makes a decisive character study with fascinating character development; using of long elaborated sequences, some realistic overlapped dialogues in the Robert Altman style, with balance and precision; with high artistic merits - which includes the sensual, loving sex scenes that create a perfect atmosphere for the characters without excessive appeal. Kudos for his way of telling a story where the majority of characters aren't status-quo gay types from many films out there: he gives voice and presence to queer POC, trans people, the Northeast people, those who go through a lot of prejudice here and elsewhere. He takes risks in going with mostly unknown actors but people of the highest talent, and Kelner Macêdo as the lead was a delight to watch. Convincing, dynamic and poignant, his performance is the highlight of the film with a character that knows exactly where he's standing, slightly shifting his persona or traits depending on whom he encounters or deals but never denying his identity, who he truly is. And it's so subtle you almost don't notice.

Through the years I thought gay-themed films were getting repetitive with its notions of love, relationships and commitment, and I think "Body Electric" was a breath of fresh air with a challenging view of life because in a way that's what all the colors of the rainbow represent. Variations from a same theme, no life is equal from one another but respect in the diversity is the main achieving goal we must make equal. I completely identified myself with Elias, his mode, way of being and his involvements, it reflected much of my experiences; and for those outside of the bubble, a reflection must be thought of with care.

For being brave, honest and open, I truly respect everyone involved with this amazing film. It was really something more than special, it was divine and I can't wait to see it again. 10/10

If the world, our actions in it, our ambitions, and our friendly encounters amuse you, you will likely love this movie. The acting is incredibly fluid, the cinematography great, the characters real. But, as some have pointed out, the plot, it exists at all, is existential. It is about a talented, directionless fellow in Brownian motion with other talented directionless people, living their lives in very amusing ways. I am a 50-ish American, saw this film in Mumbai with a 50-ish Indian buddy, and we both laughed throughout, recognizing ourselves and our zanny friends everywhere. Albert Camus and Salvador Dali, I think, would have loved it. Tom Cruze, not so much.

This film tells the story of a 23 years old Brazilian man, who works in a garment factory. He is good at his work, and his boss gives him more responsibilities. However, his heart does not lie in his career, but in carnal relationships with the people around him.

"Body Electric" appears to have a very exciting synopsis, so I watched it in a film festival. The film ends up being very mundane, and has no actual plot. It shows Elias working in the factory, or hanging clothes at home, or hanging out with his colleagues. The problem is that there is no clear starting line, no clear journey and no clear destination for the characters. Elias spends a lot of time in bed, but so what? From the way they introduce the characters, I really don't care about them or feel anything towards them.

The camera work is an aspect that I was disappointed with. There are many long static shots, which makes the film lethargic. Sometimes the camera moves so little, even at the expense of the character talking not being in the centre of the frame. For example, the scene where the pink hair guy talks loads in the toilet, he is way off centre. He should be the focal point, but he is relegated to the side.

When the film ends abruptly, there is no sense of the story having achieved or conveyed anything. It is not a drama because there is almost no story. It is not an erotic film because you can hardly see anything. It is not funny or thrilling either. There is little to keep me interested in the story, if there was a story at all.

There is not a lot of plot in this smart and attractive movie. The people work in a garment factory. They hang out. The hero is a supervisor there and has friends from work and his own neighborhood. One theme is the mixing of work and one's social life. Our guy mixes. He is warned that this is not a good thing for his professional future but he likes people and is not about to give up his personal life for some business norm. The title is from Whitman. Most of the characters are gay but that is less the point than seeing one man's journey through early adulthood and seeing the choices he makes. The cast is very attractive and the erotic quotient rates very high. Very sexy. More great gay themed films are coming from South America. This would be one of them.

Body Electric is hypnotic to the point of somnolence. It gazes at the life of a young gay man, seemingly aimless as he floats through the working day, which then blends into late nights of sex and parties. Many of the scenes feel improvised, which give the film an edgy and authentic feel. However, overall it's very repetitive with little plot or character development. You'll need to care about the protagonist to keep engaged. And if you don't, the whole thing may put you to sleep.