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04/23/09
Manda Bala (2007)
81 %
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 47
Fresh: 38
Rotten:9
Average Rating: 6.8/10
Consensus: The exciting and fast-paced documentary Manda Bala shows many sides of Brazil -- from the humorous and upbeat to the violent and disturbing.
Theatrical Release:Aug 17, 2007 Limited
Synopsis: In Brazil, known as one of the world's most corrupt and violent countries, MANDA BALA follows a politician who uses a frog farm to steal billions of dollars, a wealthy businessman who spends a... [More]
Director: Jason Kohn
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Reviews for Manda Bala
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10/18/08
Top CriticClick to read the article
10/18/08
Despite the seriousness of the topic, Manda Bala may be the most visually creative film you will see this year.
09/19/08
To address the economic inequality of teeming Sao Paulo, Brazil, documentary maker Jason Kohn has joined several loosely related topics into a sort of rhetorical doughnut, leaving a hole in the center where his thesis should be.
01/04/08
Top CriticClick to read the article
11/24/07
Top CriticKohn takes [risks] in this convoluted but fascinating documentary -- and most of those choices pay off.
11/01/07
Kohn is a talented filmmaker and he's tackled a subject not seen before in documentary film, but you almost feel bludgeoned by the depressing state of Brazil instead of introduced to the problems there.
11/01/07
Fascinating, and presented with such panache that you can't help but get drawn in.
10/11/07
Kohn does a good job of bringing grim issues to light in a surprisingly entertaining manner. But maybe with a few more years of experience, he could make those issues resonate more fully.
10/06/07
Kohn, who shot Manda Bala in lush widescreen format and makes deft use of Brazilian pop music to give the film a cleverly incongruous soundtrack, is intent on making a picture that is as visceral to watch as it is to contemplate.
10/05/07
Kohn has produced an astonishingly honest and frankly shocking documentary.
09/29/07
Artful framing and 23 peppy songs on the soundtrack lend a gloss to subject matter that alternately repels and fascinates...
09/28/07
Top CriticWe see where this is going early on; by the end, despite the film's beautiful cinematography, persuasive subjects and ironically upbeat soundtrack, we just feel bludgeoned.
09/27/07
Top CriticManda Bala (Send a Bullet), a documentary about corruption, crime and human adaptation during difficult circumstances, is a slick, sly and beautifully shot documentary.
09/27/07
Top CriticA documentary that works like a puzzle.
09/21/07
Wow, bet the Brazilian Tourism Board hates this movie.
09/21/07
Top CriticWith a keen eye for wide-screen imagery, Kohn captures the personalities of his interview subjects.
09/21/07
Top CriticThe movie has a great flashiness -- copter shots that swoop over Sao Paulo; swift, playful editing; and pop-operatic sequences driven by catchy songs.
09/14/07
Top CriticIt's thrilling viewing throughout, but Kohn's talents don't yet match his ambitions.
09/12/07
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