"Anos Rebeldes" (Wild Years) is a Brazilian mini-series that portrays in a very good way what was the country during the dictatorship period. Following another good work, "Anos Dourados" (Golden Years), which dealt with the 50's, this one takes place in the revolutionary 60's. The main character, played by Cássio Gabus Mendes, is a student that like many of his colleagues is connected with left-wing movements, and his views towards society are completely opposed to those of the Government. Naturally, he and his friends suffer from that - there is a completely hilarious scene, when a policeman discovers a book in his place called "A Capital" (Capital City), by Eça de Queiroz, a Portuguese writer, and frowns towards the student because he immediately thinks that it is the famous work of Karl Marx!
The actors are all very convincing - Cláudia Abreu also deserves to be mentioned, for her part as the brave friend of Cássio Gabus Mendes - and the whole, when seen together with "Anos Dourados", makes a good portrait of Brazil during some twenty years, contrasting the apparent peacefulness of the 50's with the anger that took place a decade later.
Although Brazilian mini-series are quite difficult to see outside the country, this one is worth watching and not only by people that are interested in the history of South America. Because, above everything, you have the pleasure of seeing Brazilian actors playing, which is indeed a rare joy, as they seem that to do it so naturally.
A word also goes for the wonderful song of the soundtrack, "Alegria, Alegria" (Joy, Joy) played by one of the true geniuses of Brazilian song, Caetano Veloso. When the "Tropicalista" Movement was in its bloom, Caetano created this unique opus, mixing typical rhythms of his country with psychedelic pop rock.