Carandiru (2003)

69% of critics liked it
(77 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(7,832 ratings)

Brazilian filmmaker Hector Babenco directs the confrontational drama Carandiru, based on the best-selling novel by Dr. Drauzio Varella. The episodic story is set in Sao Paulo's House of Detention (referred to as Carandiru), one of Latin America's largest prison systems. The doctor (Luiz Carlos… More Brazilian filmmaker Hector Babenco directs the confrontational drama Carandiru, based on the best-selling novel by Dr. Drauzio Varella. The episodic story is set in Sao Paulo's House of Detention (referred to as Carandiru), one of Latin America's largest prison systems. The doctor (Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos) is an oncologist who arrives in the jail to test patients for HIV infection. Seeing the disease, overcrowding, and rampant circulation of drugs, the doctor comes to realize the internal power structure among the prisoners. Several narratives develop, including the attempted murder of Dagger (Milhem Cortaz), the solitary confinement of Chico (Milton Goncalves), and the romance between Lady Di (Rodrigo Santoro) and Too Bad (Gero Camilo). The doctor eventually establishes a routine and sees the prisoners as survivors, leading up to the violent conclusion: a reconstruction of the October 2, 1992, prison riot known as the Carandiru Massacre. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Hector Babenco
Written By: Victor Navas, Hector Babenco, Fernando Bonassi
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: May 14, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Sep 21, 2004
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
We're served up meaty, often spicy, slices of sadly wasted lives.
Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The movie has a tactile reality. You can almost smell it.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Despite its structural flaws, Carandiru presents more interesting characters than you'd see in a dozen other prison movies.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Babenco brings the place and the prisoners alive.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
The two-part structure feels inescapably manipulative.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
It is Carandiru's ability to humanize its central characters -- to make you care about the murderers, thieves, junkies and whores who are Carandiru's citizens, and its doomed heroes -- that gives the movie its wrenching, tragic power.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
"Carandiru" is a soulful movie that eschews glamour and formula to present a thoughtful meditation on an endemic prison reality that reaches far beyond the confines of the richest city in South America.
Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Canadian
Humanity struggles out from under a maximally oppressive system, commenting by haunting metaphor on life outside the prison walls.
Marc Mohan, Oregonian
A searing expose of conditions in the Brazilian penal system.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...most successful as a anthropological primer on the makeshift societies men erect under duress
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
No matter how contrived the format seems at times, every one of the hard-luck tales is violently good pulp.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
"Carandiru" ultimately falls prey to the cliches that pervade so many mediocre prison movies.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
It has the resonant feel of myth, buoyed by simultaneously vicious and compassionate performances from the men on both sides of the bars.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Though Carandiru seems a bit slow, it's actually a 'tease' of sorts, leading up to a riveting and pretty horrifying final 45 minutes.
Jeffrey Bruner, Des Moines Register
For all the time spent with the inmates, they don't feel like real people.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Turns out to be more of a jumbled and overlong prison-set soap opera.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
Has moments of raw, unflinching power.
Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
The finest prison drama in recent memory.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
More successful as an overslick prison-genre exploitation movie than as a vehicle of social protest...
Thomas Delapa, Boulder Weekly
For most audiences, Babenco's grim prison drama will be a 150-minute sentence.

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

A breathtaking film, that talk about prisoners with AIDS, life in prison, prejudice and homosexuality. All seen by the doctor Drauzio Varella. A true story based on the book EstaÃ§Ã£o Carandiru. Shocking!
Anthony L

One of the best prison based dramas I've seen. Beautifully shot by Walter Carvalho and well directed by Babenco.
Bruce B

This is worth all 2 hours and 28 Minutes of your time. The best movie I've seen in a while and one of the top's when it comes to English Subtitles. This movie is in Portuguese Language so you will have to follow along the subtitles if your knowledge of that language is as… More
This is worth all 2 hours and 28 Minutes of your time. The best movie I've seen in a while and one of the top's when it comes to English Subtitles. This movie is in Portuguese Language so you will have to follow along the subtitles if your knowledge of that language is as limited as mind. This is a collection of life?s in a prison in Brazil, thru the life of a doctor from that prison. This movie should be watched by everyone that?s in a jail or prison in the US, just to see how good you have it here. This movie kept me glued to the screen. I have no idea how this movie got on my list, where I read the review or saw the preview, but I am glad I did. Its a must see and outstanding movie, NOT A DOCUMENTRY, a good movie. 5 stars and I haven't given that out in a while.
Stella D

the story of a bloody riot in the largest jail in latin america begins with interesting back stories on many of the prisoners. we're drawn in by the characters and the inevitable climax is pretty shattering. manipulative but watchable
Lesley N

Damon Runyon-ish. A collection of stories about the charactrs in a Brazillian prison. building up to a violent riot.
William G

Grim but compelling tale of AIDS epidemic in Brazilian prison.
Emily B

Based on the true story of the Carandiru massacre of 1992. Seen through the eyes of the prison doctor and including several narratives, all leading up to the shocking climax. Worth watching.
Ina S

Moving, intense, have to rewatch for more detailed comment.
Eduardo C

Interesting film taking place entirely inside Carandiru prison, a place as vibrant and full of life as it is dangerous, seen through the eyes of its new resident doctor. The film is not a great work, but certainly a joyous one, pulsating with life, and full of bright, interesting… More
Interesting film taking place entirely inside Carandiru prison, a place as vibrant and full of life as it is dangerous, seen through the eyes of its new resident doctor. The film is not a great work, but certainly a joyous one, pulsating with life, and full of bright, interesting performances even while it is often harrowing. The individual stories of most of the featured prisoners are interesting enough and the film is never less than watcheable. The last 20, 30 minutes are a complete tonal shift, as a prison riot is quelled by a police raid in which many prisoners were massacred in cold blood by officers whose job it was to 'maintain the peace'. The siege is very well staged, and while it feels out of place it is evident the director felt its inclusion was of the utmost importance.

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

Ivan de Almeida
as Ebony
Ailton Graça
as Highness
Maria Luiza Mendonca
as Dalva

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Carandiru (2003)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cast

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