Brazilian Filmmaker Aims To Depict Corrupt, Tortuous Cops Without Pissing Off Corrupt, Tortuous Cops

Filmed in the alleys of Rio de Janeiro’s infamous shantytowns, “Elite Force” is director Jose Padilha’s part in the effort to focus global attention on the brutal way cops deal with favela residents, both good and bad. (Too bad its title sounds like something featuring Chuck Norris.) Padilha wrote its script with the help of a retired Rio police officer, seeking the kind of realism that’ll make the Rodney King beating look like child’s play. If shock value is the trick up his sleeve, he might be barking up the wrong tree in America; after all, we are the nation responsible for not one, but THREE “Saw” movies. Padilha originally conceived the film as a documentary, but had qualms about its feasibility:

“How would I do this, go to corrupt cops with cameras?” he asks. “If I tried to make this film as a documentary, it would probably get me killed.”

That’s funny, given that the guys behind “City Of God” did just that and are still alive. In fact, the documentary they produced (”News From A Personal War”) features interviews with various law enforcement officers. It’s even included on the movie’s DVD. (Thanks, Netflix, for enriching our lives with movie trivia!)

Brazil director hopes film will highlight corruption [Reuters]
Image [BBC]