FEBRUARY
2003
Cover
by
Alex
Korolkovas
For a larger
cover
CONTENTS:
COVER STORY
 Beyond City of God
As if from an Asian swell there has been a rising tide of
Brazilian cinema masterpieces. Every month, Brazil has seen a steady flow of
high-level cinematic creation. And every semester has ushered in a
masterpiece.
by Norman Madarasz
 Hunger Live and in Color
With Lula, the Brazilian media will have to face the country.
The Brazil of statistics and infographics will finally be transformed
into actual images, not necessarily depressing and negative.
The media will move. Pushed, as always.
by Alberto Dines
Catching
up on the Gossip
Arrogance and small talk at São Paulo's most venerable daily,
Lula's Zero Hunger program, the perils of private doctors, lack
of work ethics, and whatever happened to the sex-driven Brazilians.
by John Fitzpatrick
Why Lula Should Be in the White House
It's hard not to think the world would be a better place if Lula
and Bush swapped jobs. Wealthy oligarchs, who reach high office
through nepotism are supposed to be South American.
In a bizarre twist, global bankers love Lula and despair of Bush.
by Richard Adams
 The Real Thing
When Bush talks about "leaving no child behind," you can as
much as see the smirk behind it all. With Lula, you feel the
resonance deep in your gut. His sincerity is undoubted
because you know his own personal story is so real.
by Marc Cooper
Forget Davos
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva should skip the Davos Forum.
If he is serious about defending human values he should take a
more positive approach to the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
He should also stop trying to revive the virtually moribund Mercosur.
by John Fitzpatrick
Stuttering Start
All is not as rosy as financial markets would have us believe.
Congress practically will be in recess until after Carnaval
(March 1st to 4) and facing the reality of governing
may be postponed for a while.
by Richard Hayes
It's Still Honeymoon
It may be a while before the current feeling of good
will and grace period toward the new government dissipates.
The local media is beginning to point out some of the
deficiencies and past history of participants in Lula's
government and their confused actions thus far.
by Richard Hayes
Blame the USA
What is bad for Wall Street and the U. S. elites is good for both
the people of Brazil and the U.S.. Lula is right when he says
that "blindly opening Brazils markets to the U.S. would
be a virtual annexation of Brazil by the U.S.."
by Jeromy Ray
Feijoada with Soy Sauce
Koreans and Chinese seem to be the only people interested in
emigrating to Brazil nowadays, but they haven't yet
won the affection of the local population. The Japanese, however,
have adapted totally to Brazil and Brazilians one of
these days might elect a Japanese president.
by John Fitzpatrick
 Jail Made Easier
Fear is a major motivator in a movement in the Brazilian Congress
to change federal laws and allow children to be sentenced
to adult prison starting at 16 years of age. Such a change,
according to several experts, would be a losing situation.
by Heidi Cerneka
Sunny Side Up
In a direct response to those whose pastime is
to badmouth Brazil, the Brazilian government
has compiled an extensive list of Brazilian
marvels. We reproduce the list, here, in its entirety.
by Guilherme Leite Ribeiro
Brazil Is Ready to Play
We want reciprocal free trade. Our export efforts will be worth
nothing if the rich countries continue to preach free
trade and practice protectionism. Constructing a new
international economic order is not only an act of generosity,
but principally, a demonstration of political astuteness.
by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
 When Varig Is Gone
Getting ready for the worst, in case Varig, Brazil's largest airline,
folds under the weight of its debts, the Brazilian government
has prepared a contingency plan. The public will not suffer,
guarantees Air Force commander Silva Bueno.
by Émerson Luiz
Very Special Students
Brazilian companies willing to export to the U.S. don't have
to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to study the viability of
introducing their products in America. Now they can use the services of
California students who are also American corporate executives.
by Kim Huggett
Sweat of Your Brow? No, Government Coupons
President Lula da Silva hasn't read the Bible. Or why would he
say, "It is not written anywhere, not even in the Bible, that
one needs to go without food for days". Work, the best antidote against
hunger, does not seem to be a priority for the new administration.
by Janer Cristaldo
Opposition? What Opposition?
Political leaders in Brazil have been playing to the gallery and
a high price will be paid before any major reforms—such as on the
pensions, tax or the electoral system itself—are made. It is alarming
at this early stage to see the "opposition" behaving so feebly.
by John Fitzpatrick
Getting High in Porto Alegre or
If Only Lula Were My President
Dateline: Porto Alegre, Brazil. If the critics of globalization who
massed here are divided about the world they want, there was
a single issue that united nearly everyone: the U. S. war
against Iraq. All political groupings and delegations
from some 125 countries opposed the war.
by Jennifer C. Berkshire
Brazil Gets Pat on Back from U. S.
We have seen an agenda designed to fight poverty and increase
economic growth and stability. The new economic plan is rightly
ambitious in its specific aims to end hunger, combat corruption,
and discourage drug trafficking. Lula's agenda is a model in
its aggressive focus on pursuing pro-growth reforms.
In Brazil, Spanish Will Do
So what is it about Brazilians that make them understand
Spanish without a hitch? In Rio, they understood my
questions, but I never understood their
answers. Now how annoying is that?
by George Lou
Too Personal
During the Porto Alegre, Brazil, World Social Forum, Hollywood star
Danny Glover reacted with the brutality of a true communist
zealot to the request for aid to a humanitarian cause
that seemed not to fit into his political creed.
by Olavo de Carvalho
We Need the Bomb - Part II
The Brazilian government is finally on the right track,
regarding its defense strategy. It is time for Brazil to unsign
the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. North Korea just
announced that they are unsigning from that treaty.
In 90 days, it is a done deal!
by Ricardo C. Amaral
Telephone Manners in Brazil
When calling an executive in Brazil you will be asked,
"Who wishes to speak," and put on hold. Then you will
be told that the person is not there. Don't take it
personally. It's just part of the culture.
by Richard Hayes Anti-Globalization Squad
The Landless Movement emerged in Brazil, and has developed
into the most important social movement in the country. But the
movement has been the target of a pervasive attack by
the media, which misrepresents and often fabricates stories
to mislead the Brazilian and international public.
by Dawn Plummer and Betsy Ranun
Maniac for Education
Listening to Brazil's new Education Minister: I have always dreamed
of becoming the Minister of Education…. We have to follow
the example set by Fidel Castro and his companions in the Sierra
Maestra, by seeking a Brazilian way…. The thing to do
now is step on the accelerator and turn to the left.
by Cristovam Buarque
Paradise Guardians
Capão is a bird watcher's paradise. Ocelot, puma and jaguar
still roam freely. The Environmental Commission of Capão Valley
deals with several issues including control of pollution, littering
prevention and protection of rivers and waterfalls.
by Phillip Wagner
Good to the Last Grain
What makes the coffee growers of Mulungu so special is their
history of resistance to conventional wisdom. Their coffee is
grown ecologically in a show that environmentally
friendly enterprise is making inroads in Brazil.
by Phillip Wagner
Making a Difference
Sponsoring a youngster from a third-world country like Brazil promises
to be an ongoing rewarding experience, building
self-esteem on both ends. Students Helping Street Kids
International shows us how this can be done.
by Jennifer Grant
Lessons for Living
At the Maanaim Center, in São Paulo, children are expected
to maintain personal and clothing cleanliness. Some of them
have never seen themselves in a mirror. The younger ones, in particular,
will spend hours before the glass, getting to
know their own form and features.
by Jennifer Grant
The Killing Season
There has been a wave of violence against indigenous peoples
in the latest weeks in Brazil. One Indian was stoned to death
while sleeping on the sidewalk. Other two were murdered while
defending their land. In one of the attacks Indian women
were raped by ranch hands and policemen.
 The
Way We Were
An exhibition of paintings by the Dutch artist, Albert Eckhout
has sparked a revival of interest in the history of Brazil.
His works allow present-day Brazilians to see what their
forebears of almost 400 years ago looked like.
by John Fitzpatrick
Coming Out in Brazil
A candid talk with Beyond Carnival's author James N. Green.
Says he, "I understood that the Brazilian Left, the PT and other
groups, were ultimately likely to be allies of the gay and
lesbian movements. Yet they were uneducated, rather
stupid and backward about this question."
by Bernadete R. Beserra
How Brazil Wooed Me
I pictured myself living in São Paulo and I was comfortable
with that. However, my indecisiveness started as I
talked to other people who regarded it as a
crazy move to a violent Third World country.
by Steven Rozengauz
What Portuguese Is This?
In Brazil there is almost a total ignorance about the mother
nation. After a Portuguese rock group performed in Rio,
a Brazilian commented: "It was OK, but I couldn't understand
a word." A package of Portuguese films sent to celebrate Brazil's
500 years could only be shown to Brazilians with subtitles.
by Ray Vogensen
Downtown Blues
Pátio do Colégio: São Paulo, the third largest city in the world
was born here. Still you don't see tourists or middle-class citizens
visiting the site. Is it because they are not interested in their own history
or because they are afraid of the beggars and thieves all around?
by John Fitzpatrick
Way, Way Back
A trip from Fortaleza into the interior of Ceará state is an
experience in distance and in time. A trip at least 100 years
into the past. Baggage and animals—chickens, pigs, and goats
are interwoven in a network of sprawling life
with squawks, bleats, grunts and laughter.
by Tomas Belsky
Brazilian + American
Sou brasileira-americana. I need to be my hyphenated
me. My Brazilian family does not know me or understand
me. For them I'm one of those Americans who
have forgotten how to enjoy life. My American
family does not know me or understand me either.
by Zulmara Cline
The Samba and the Fado
The attachment to the Portuguese language among Brazilians is
more related to the fact that it makes them stand out from
their Spanish-speaking neighbors. Despite the obvious connections,
one can say that the average Brazilian cares little for Portugal.
by John Fitzpatrick
Look at Those Hoopsters!
While the WNBA is considered a career advance
for women with basketball career aspirations, all Brasileiras
playing professional basketball in the US achieved various accomplishments prior to their
debuts in the Women's National Basketball Association.
by Mark Wells
All That Samba (and Choro
and Forró)
Some of the best sound Brazil produced in 2002. Topping
the list: Zé Renato and Wagner Tiso's beautiful Memorial,
Milton Nascimento's heartfelt Pietá and Jacques/Paula
Morelenbaum & Ryuichi Sakamoto's Jobiniano Casa,
recorded at Tom Jobim's home.
by Egídio Leitão
True Brazilyankee
Thirty years after the success of the Brit Ritchie in Brazil,
American Michael Anthony Lahue plays the Brazilian music market.
His new CD Sonho (Dream) reveals a talented artist recording
in Portuguese and doing Tom Jobim's arrangements.
by Marco Fonseca
Beyond the Bananas
The emergence of Carmen Miranda acted as an official link
between the samba tradition of poor blacks and mulattos and
white and elite middle-class to create a national identity.
She belonged to Hollywood turned her back to her
native Brazil not only once, but twice.
by Giancarlo Iosue
The New Orleans-Brazil Jam
For 22 years Katrina Geenen has been hosting "Tudo Bem,"
a New Orleans' radio program showcasing a variety of Brazilian
musical styles. In recent years, Geenen focused less on Bahian music
and plays a lot more independent music from Rio and other parts of Brazil.
by Thea English
The French Connection
France-based Brazilian group Jiripoca's second CD, Destinos,
was released in 1998, close on the heels of their 1997 release
of Babilakes & Muambas. It seemed that they would be
generating a CD every year. But the group started
lining up appearances in one festival after another.
by Phillip Wagner
Hot Stuff
It seems lucky: a Brazilian comes to America and the
first week gets a record deal and a lawyer. Ahhh, the
land of opportunity. It's Mayuto Correa's mettle rather
than luck that resulted in success though.
"I'm a jazz militant activist," he confesses.
by Melinda Wong
A Brazilian Blockbuster
Hollywood hunk and soap opera star in NBC's Days of Our Lives
as Officer Santos,
Brazilian Marcio Rosario also pays his dues. He encourages young Latinos
to reach for the stars and stay out of trouble while visiting schools on behalf of the
National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.
by Judi Jordan
The Ox Who Said No
The crazed driver held on to his cart while trying to gain some
control, chickens squawked and scattered, pigs squealed and made
way—all was turmoil except—except for Padre Humberto
who stood smiling at his handiwork of confusion and resolution.
by Thomas Belsky
God and Satan in the
Land of Carnaval
Carnaval in Paraguaçu. We ran around crowing like big roosters
on drugs, or maybe hyper-excited hens in lust. With toy-teeth laces around
our ankles and chicken bones on our heads, this flock of teenage pals
was roaring and jumping, fighting and running. It was a total blast on
that voodoo land of joy and relaxation!
by Dário Borim Jr.
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