Manda Bala (Send a Bullet)

The film portrays an egocentric point of view. It adds to the typical assumption that American are ethnocentric and can only see the world from their own perspective. The director adopted an egocentric and ethnocentric position. He did not allow the narratives to flow within the main theme. He literally directed narratives to a conclusion he had pre-conceived. Superficial as it is, it does not encompass the complex socioeconomic system in which it takes place.

It is disturbing and without any sense to see interpreters competing with characters their speech. It is a shame to show an egocentric doctor, proud of himself and ignoring the painful and traumatic circumstances their patients were exposed. It is also questionable whether a "successful business man" who had been kidnapped, would agree to expose himself in a documentary such as it intended to be. This raises questions around the credibility of this documentary.

It is very pretentious to say that Manda Bala explains violence and political frauds in Brazil. It is clear that no one involved in this production knows about Latin America and much less international foreign policies and unnecessary to say, skipped sociology classes.

I created an account just to review this movie. Well, especially in light of there being reviews with less than nine stars. Documentaries inform viewers of specific problems, but rarely deliver such powerful messages.

Apparently, though, some did not come away with it. It's clear, however, just not black and white. Things are not as easy as A and B in Brazil, or anywhere for that matter. If you don't get it, if you don't understand the ambiguity, then you are more than likely one of the many people responsible for perpetuating leaders like Jader.

Using beautiful shots and great taste in music, Kohn will take you on an fantastically varying exploration of extremely interesting characters. From a host of view points, you will see the "good" and "bad," "heroes" and "villains" of Brazil, and be forced to contemplate politics and human nature.

P.S. If you still don't get it at all. "Corruption cannot be seen only as someone has stolen money for himself,corruption is the thing that links all other crimes." (11:16)

"Manda Bala" is everything you could want in a documentary, or in any film, for that matter! Directed in a style akin to the finer films of Errol Morris, "Manda Bala" is beautifully shot, brilliantly edited, and has a tremendous musical score. Shot in Brazil over several years, this documentary smartly examines the nature of corruption and class division in a truly engaging & entertaining way; the film is gripping from beginning to end, and has an immediacy that has world-wide relevance and resonance. The story is tightly woven, but the film still breathes in an almost perfect way, with just the right amount of tension & release. I am INCREDIBLY impressed by the amazing, dare I say artistic work that first-time director Jason Kohn has toiled to put together. Everyone-and-their-brothers-in-law-too should go see "Manda Bala", as soon as it's given wide-release, post-Sundance!

Poor and superficial film, using disturbing images, playing with the American believe that Violence and Corruption only happen in other countries. This is a bad copy of other Brazilian movies, this people could be making Art with more social engagement , sensibility and respect for other cultures.

The worst part of the movie is when Kids are showed acting/playing as kidnappers. The director admitted that He asked the Kids to do the theater, but presents it as if it was reality, making the public believe that this is how kids play in the streets of Brazil. This is unetical, not a documentary, shouldn't be a reference.

I believe that it's time for the young Americans to start looking into solving their own problems at home. And not only look for sensationalism , violence and misery but, beauty and successful experiences in other cultures, not only they problems, feeding prejudices and fear.

It's time to exchange ideas , using art as communication, a Global believe of trust and enlightenment. Not only fear of the different, of the foreigner, the neighbor...

This film will teach you a lot that you didn't know about Brazilian society and that nation's struggles with deep undercurrents of poverty, corruption, extortion and social confrontation. It fails to fully connect the dots in terms of why and how these problems manifest, but it definitely exposes a good deal of truth in terms of day-to-day realities for some of Brasil's wealthy and poor citizens. It's an aesthetically-driven documentary, with visual meditations on frogs, ears, cityscapes and the expressions of interview subjects and their sometimes equally intriguing interpreters. The soundtrack is an alluring collection of Brazilian pop and traditional arrangements that hums away in the background, as we watch some rather interesting folks talk about how they fit into the skewed morass of Brazilian society, whether perpetrator, victim, agent of the law or medical healer. Be warned: some of the raw kidnapping footage is graphic and disturbing.