Capoeira Movies

Besouro

The previous century, the 1920s. A period when slavery had already been abolished, but the descendants of African Americans still struggled to fit into modern society. Entrepreneurs benefited from free labor, but tolerance and a sense of equality were still far from being fully established. Former slaves developed a unique dance form mixed with martial arts - capoeira. However, the government considered this type of sport illegal, so all capoeira enthusiasts were persecuted by law enforcement. The main character, who dedicated most of his life to learning this art, has to organize something like an underground club of enthusiasts-partisans. The enthusiasts, led by the legendary master Manuel Pereira, better known as "Bug," go on raids through the night city, destroying plantations and agricultural machinery. Many farmers suffered at the hands of the partisans, but each of them did not want to part with the slave-owning system. African Americans came to the underground club every day to learn this amazing art and be able to resist human rights oppressors.

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Mestre Bimba - A Capoeira Iluminada

"Mestre Bimba, Capoeira Iluminada" is a feature-length documentary film that tells the story of Manoel dos Reis Machado, Mestre Bimba, a great name in capoeira and the founder and creator of Capoeira Regional. Through interviews with former students and historians, the film paints a rich picture of black culture and capoeira in Brazil. Produced in 2005, "Mestre Bimba, Capoeira Iluminada" was shown in cinemas in various Brazilian cities and participated in festivals, including the Rio Festival. In 2007, the film was released on DVD by Biscoito Fino, and its first printings were quickly sold out.

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Rooftops

"Rooftops" is a 1989 film directed by Robert Young. The movie tells the story of two boys from a poor neighborhood in New York City who try to save their friends and community from destruction. The main characters, T-Row and his friend Joey, find themselves caught in the middle of a conflict between local residents and criminals. The film is characterized by lively music and beautiful shots of New York City's urban landscapes. "Rooftops" gained popularity among audiences in the 90s due to its dynamic action and adventure elements.

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Cordão de Ouro

Cordão de Ouro is a 1977 Brazilian adventure film directed by Antonio Carlos da Fontoura. The film is a landmark in the history of capoeira in cinema, as the first film with a hero represented by a capoeirista. Made during the military dictatorship, the film surprises by telling the story of a slave who rebels against the system.

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Only the Strong

Only the Strong is a 1993 martial arts film directed by Sheldon Lettich, starring Mark Dacascos. It is considered to be the only Hollywood film that showcases capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art, from beginning to end. Ex-Special Forces soldier Louis Stevens returns to Miami to find his former high school overrun by drugs and violence. A master of the Brazilian martial art, capoeira, Stevens pledges to straighten out a dozen of the school's worst students by teaching them this demanding and highly-disciplined fighting style. Slowly, his program begins to work, giving the students new hope and purpose. But the local drug lord, himself a martial arts expert, vows to stop Stevens' positive influence. Now Stevens must fight to save his own life, as well as the lives of his rebellious young students

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