Brazil (Terry Gilliam, 1985) why be called brazil?

[aradoff]

I agree with what sgimenez’s idea that the film’s theme song for Brazil is a simile for the main character’s life, Sam. But I feel also that the song is symbolic of what is the exact opposite of Sam’s life and the world he lives in. The song is melodic and soothing, everything that the city is not. The lyrics talk about love and the beauty in nature, where there is none in the filthy streets and among the heartless people. Society is an empty shell in this film and where there once was emotion it has been replaced with robots and big grey ducts. The title of the movie is perfect, because it is nothing in which the name implies. True there are some references to the country Brazil, like in the ending where Sam is dreaming about living in the country with his lover Jill, and the decorum of his mother’s house suggests a tropical lavish life style. In the country of Brazil things are much simpler and truly beautiful. There are jungles in Brazil which could also be a connection to how the film portrays the city and its dwellers. But other than that the sky scrapers, grey skies, grungy streets and overall fear and aggression which make up this city, are nothing like the country Brazil. The name and the song were meant to be almost ironic in comparison to the film and its overall theme.

[NPhillips-Edwards]

I too agree that the title of the film, Brazil, is meant in an ironic sense. Not only in reference to the song, which is obviously quite a prevalent theme throughout the movie, but also in reference to the country of Brazil. Here is a country with vast, densely germinated jungles, inhabited by exotic wildlife and various native tribes. Standing, seemingly, in contrast with this natural element, is its vast economy and military might. Brazil is the economic and military superpower of Latin America. Taking this comparison into account, one might infer that the country of Brazil is seen as an archetype for an ideal nation, with equilibrium between the natural and man made worlds. The society depicted in Gilliam’s film has utterly stamped out it’s natural element, to the extent that for people to even breathe fresh air they must pay for it at phone booth-like kiosks. As a political entity, Brazil is comprised of three legislative sects, what is interesting about them, is that there is no hierarchy within each sect, since hierarchy has reached “unwieldy” proportions, proving a source of great distress for Sam.