Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Kaelan Mccaffrey Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

jerisummers2 Spoilers contained, but only in a general sense, not specific! I watched this movie expecting something about drag queens or someone who could be considered significant in some way, hence the "based on a true story" blurb in the description, yet I can't find any reason why anyone would have made a movie about the primary character. I found him to be unlikable, unsympathetic and not even a good drag queen! This man, if the story is indeed based on fact, was totally lacking in any redeeming characteristics; cruel to his "friends," unattractive physically, a thief, liar, con man, a criminal, violent, talentless and ignorant. Apparently he was notable for winning a costume contest after spending ten years in prison and that warrants a movie about him? The other characters were just sad; Lurita and Taboo. I could not get a clear sense of whether he was lovers with Lurita or Taboo or they coexisted as a "family" unit of unwanted people who found comfort in each other, yet even then the primary character was so cruel to Taboo that it sickened me. OK, I get that this time period, this neighborhood, these people were poor, ignorant and had miserable lives, but what in this movie, this story, was worthy of making a movie about? I sat through this whole movie waiting for something noteworthy to happen, to make me care about these people, to explain why their lives were being portrayed and that moment never came. It was a waste of time and money for me. No point to it at all.

Kara Dahl Russell This is a fascinating, extremely well done, documentary style Indie film about the life of a down and out guy who defies narrow definitions. The story description focuses on the most outré elements of this man's life: Brazillian pimp, street fighter, drag queen, thief, criminal. The outstanding achievement of this film, though, is to put his life into context, that he is also protector, father, dreamer, artist; and to neither airbrush, glamorize nor excuse his life. This film goes further to put his life into context in the racial mix of Brazil of the 1930s, when slaves were freed but not allowed to hold jobs, the Brazil of Carnival where even the most macho men appear in drag. Deftly touching on all, but not belaboring any one of these elements of bigotry and systemic injustices, we are given a real portrait of an unusual family who are revealed in their entirety, not entirely good, not entirely bad, really human. The performances of the main four characters are simply outstanding and raw, so much so that you begin to wonder if this really IS a documentary. The small supporting roles are all equally strong. A riveting film in all respects; here the art direction and filming styles really augment the gritty reality and emotional perspective of an edgy life in a difficult time and place.This is a morally complex film, not for children at all, not for those who do not like indie films. If you see it on DVD, DEFINITELY listen to the commentary, the Director DOES achieve what he hopes to convey. This is not a film you "love" - it is one that deserves deep respect.

jotix100 "Madame Sata" is a movie that depicts a bygone era. This colorful film directed by Karim Ainouz concentrates on the life of a charismatic man who lived an interesting life. We are taken to the Rio of the 1930s to witness the night life that flourished in the bohemian Lapa neighborhood, with its many dives and night clubs where all kinds of people mixed together.This is the story of Joao, a poor black man who is a homosexual living in a macho dominated society. The film opens as Joao is being processed because of a crime he committed. We watch his face in a close-up where an off camera voice is reading what he did, and then we are taken back to watch his life in flashbacks.Joao, who is an assistant to a French third rate chanteuse, is seen backstage imitating the singer in his own way, which is much better than what that tired woman does on stage. Joao lives in a household that includes Laurita, a friendly prostitute, and Tabu, a gay man who loves dressing as a woman, even for house work.This was the era where the movies glorify those larger than life women who inspired gays all over the world to imitate them. Joao feels the attraction and after losing Renatinho, he asks the friendly Amador, who owns a bar in the Lapa district to give him a chance to perform in the style of the great divas of the era. The result is an instant success because of the innate talent in Joao. Alas, tragedy strikes when a loud mouth drunk begins to insult Joao, who decides to take matters into his own hand with dire consequences. In real life, Joao was in and out of prisons all his life. Lazaro Ramos does a fantastic job portraying this complex man who was ahead of his time. Mr. Ramos is the best excuse for watching this Brazilian film that shows that seedy side of a society condemned to live in poverty and need. Marcelia Cartaxo plays Laurita, a true friend, who stuck by Joao no matter how bad things got. Flavioi Bauraqui is another asset in the film appearing as Tabu, the other member of Joao's household. Fellipe Marques is perfect as Renatinho, the man who loved Joao."Madame Sata" offers a nostalgic look at the life in Rio during the 30s and it's based on the true story of the man who was made famous for his originality and contribution to a society that tried to keep him away from mixing with them. This is a great directing job by Karim Ainouz, who with the writer, Marcelo Gomes, takes the viewer to a magical ride to the exotic life of that long gone Brazil.

Red-125 Madame Satã (2002) is more or less a biography of a Brazilian criminal, pimp, and abuser of both men and women. I think we are to understand that his actions are driven by his ambition to be a transvestite star in the Rio de Janeiro slums.I don't know if the performances we see are meant to be evidence of talent--I can't judge what a Brazilian audience would enjoy in 1932. I do know that the protagonist's behavior was consistently cruel and explosively violent.Nothing I saw in this film impressed me. It was shown at the Rochester Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Is this the best film the committee could find about cross-dressing?