There’s an increasing trend in Brasil to give voice to the impoverished and lower classes with the popularity of novellas such as Avenida Brasil marking the trend.
New movie, Trash, directed by Brit Richard Daldry (Billy Elliot) and written by the famed Richard Curtis continues the trend bringing the fictional plight of three Trash kids Rafa, Gardo and Rat to the big screen and following them on an epic adventure that befalls them whilst they go about their everyday lives in the rubbish pit they play, eat, sleep and work in.
The three first time actors Rickson Tevez, Eduardo Luis and Gabriel Weinstein are the real stars of the show, despite the inclusion of Martin Sheen and Rooney Mara who play mentor figures for the boys as Christian outreach workers. The story involves a tale of corruption and police brutality and despite having a soft heart, shines a light on the difficult questions that rising super power Brasil can’t seem to shake off. The film seems to be set ahead of the 2014 World Cup and glances towards the moral issues that funding stadiums and the potential industrial scale bribery that can take place around such massive and lucrative events.
While it certainly has its uncomfortable and gritty moments, it’s not quite as hard hitting as you’d hope for given the gravity of the situations that the boys find themselves in. But what can you expect from the man who created ballet star Billy Elliot? I did really enjoy Trash though, it is surprisingly funny at times and it’s shot beautifully.
If you’re looking for something slightly alternative to watch at the cinema, this is a decent shout. Trash is in UK cinemas from January 30th.
