Straight to the Point

10.19.2009

Initially classified as sambandido (gangsta samba) the music of Bezerra da Silva exploded onto the Brazilian pagode scene during the 80’s and continuous to date..
The Brazilian public became mesmerized by his music’s subtle explicitness, a “in your face” attitude of denunciation with kids gloves, undertones of irony and social criticism to reigning corruption through dodging, and full empathy with the underdog having to survive outside the borders of laws made to protect the rich.

Bezerra’s music denotes a very unique and differentiated attitude from the other pagodeiros (Pagode musicians). In his sambas, the word "love" is never heard. His favorite subjects are the survival tactics of the cool dude dodging the law, the corruption of Brazil's social and political elite and corrupt police harassment.

Bezerra is one of the greatest recording artists in Brazil, yet, very few know the secret behind all his success: an amazing songwriting team.


This team is composed by young pagodeiros, from the thriving favelas high up on the hills of Rio de Janeiro, and the Baixada Fluminense – the lowlands surrounding the city. Known as "Popular P", "Adelzonilton", "Walmir da Purificação", "Roxinho", 1000tinho, these are the true poets of the hills, in and out of prison torture, scratching an existence as electricians, mechanics, fireman, people coping daily with violence and tragedy, and for this very reason, the idyonisiac reality of ‘malandragem” (gangsta cool), of law evasion for survival, which inspires them to write sambas that are contagious and the most faithful register of their social reality.


Festivals and Awards


This feature film is based on a short film that won the following awards:

Best Short film at the 5th Brazilian Film Festival of Miami, USA, 2001

Special Jury Award at the 29th Brazilian and Latin Film Festival of Gramado, Brazil, 2001

“Cine Mambembe” Award at the 12th International Short Film Festival of São Paulo, Brazil, 2001

Best Documentary Short Film at the 9th Film and Video Festival of Cuiabá, Brazil, 2001

Best Short Film at the Rio Festival BR 2001

http://www.tvzero.com/project/straight-to-the-point