Dzi Croquettes (2009)

Dzi Croquettes is a 2009 Brazilian documentary about a Brazilian dance and theater group. Directed by Tatiana Issa and Raphael Alvarez, The film became the most awarded documentary in Brazilian History and had its US premiere at the acclaimed MoMA (Museum of Modern Art in New York) followed by theatrical release in the USA at the IFC Village Cinemas in New York and Sunset 5 Cinemas Los Angeles, besides theatrical release in Europe and Brazil. The film receivied outstanding reviews on all major Newspapers such as New York Times, Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Film Journal International, Time Out New York, Village Voice, among many others.

The Dzi Croquettes were a groundbreaking dance and theater group who used their talent and a mix of humor and derision to challenge the violent dictatorship that gripped Brazil in the 1970s. Creating a new stage language that would influence an entire generation, this theater group revolutionized the gay movement despite being banned and censored by the military regime. Through interviews and archival footage of the group’s incredible performances, directors Raphael Alvarez and Tatiana Issa reveal the origin of the group, their relentless perfectionism, and their unexpected stroke of luck when Liza Minnelli becomes a godmother of sorts to them. However, it also gives a very honest account of the sadness of their final years when tension, egos, AIDS, and even murder ripped them apart.
Winner of the Jury and Audience awards for best documentary at this year’s Rio and São Paulo film festivals, Dzi Croquettes combines juicy interviews with group members and current Brazilian and International artist to bring this unique act to a whole new generation. Through it all, we see how this group never flinched from challenging conventional notions of acceptable “masculine” or “feminine” behavior.

Synopsis

À une époque lourde de censure et de répression, celle de la Dictature militaire au Brésil (1964-1985), les « Dzi Croquettes », une troupe de théâtre pas comme les autres, révolutionne radicalement le monde du spectacle. Intelligent, drôle, subversif, un groupe d’artistes et danseurs hors paires se déchaine sur scène, faisant foi d’une inaliénable liberté. Forcés à s’exiler à Paris, les inclassables Dzi Croquettes continuent à fasciner par leur mise en scène aussi délurée que construite où se mêlent androgynie, poésie et humour.

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