Ulysses, Cidadão

"Ulysses, Cidadão" ("Ulysses, Citizen"") is a very interesting documentary on congressman Ulysses Guimarães (1916-1992) presenting his life and work over the years as one of the most important and significant members of Congress and politicians of Brazil's history.

Throughout the film, narrated by actor Othon Bastos, I was fascinated by Ulysses fights with the military regime (1964-1985) as one of its most vocal and fervorous oppositors and how he dealt with those issues by being the leader of opposition surviving through it all and leaving an everlasting legacy that still stands since he's still refered as Doctor Ulysses thanks to his ability to conceal, negociate and fight when needed. He lived through the era with dignity and perserverance fighting many obstacles when the time proved he couldn't do it; but thanks to his party MDB and the church he managed to do his job and fight for democracy and elections, and he led the country to its opening in 1985 when he almost became president of Brazil then and in 1989 when he actually ran for office - lost out in the first time but by then he was already Chairman of Congress and conceived the 1988 Constitution. He tragically died on a helicopted crash in Angra dos Reis in 1992 and at the time he was coordinating the house works on the impeachment of President Collor.

I was thrilled by his story and writer Eduardo Coutinho ("Cabra Marcado para Morrer") and director Escorel highlighted his most significant moments and his importance on the political scenario of Brazil through several decades as a first grade articulist. Nothing was left aside and I can truly recommend this to history/politics fans and admirers of the man.