My love for the beautiful country of Brasil has become unwavering over the past year or so. What was originally a casual interest in the nation from the early days of my youth involved in football and watching the cult classic 'Ciadade De Deus' (The City of God), has developed in to a blossoming relationship. Maybe i'm personifying the country a little too much but if anything, that should display my compassion for the land that columbus called a 'paradise' when he first ventured there.
Without travelling there yourself it's hard to imagine and to put across just how idyllic this land appears to me. Sure it does have vast amounts of people living below the poverty line and possible inclinations of racism in the upper eshelons of politics. But show me a nation more racially harmonious than Brasil and i'll eat my 100% cotton white tee right this moment!
I would delve in to the ins 'n' outs of why Brasilians are so at one with themselves and eachother racially, but i don't want to bore you to death (i'm sure one day i will venture in to such a topic, be prepared for a full 5 page spread!) All reasons date back to slavery and the interracial breeding that was encouraged between the Portuguese, Indeginous natives and of course the African slaves. Throw in some huge migration from the Japanese and few other nations and what do you have....beautiful women, AND.....the best culture and society you could possibly hope to be raised in.
To be quite frank, i've just this moment decided to do a Brasil special. This was a post originally intended to be about Brasilian football so i could showcase one of my favourite docs ever produced on the subject of the beautiful game. So therefore i'll just wrap this up real quick and get to providing the link. Anyone with even a vague passing interest in the game make sure you peep the video at the bottom of this post.
I actually made something on this documentary a few years back in high school, here's the intro i wrote (covering my ass incase what you're about to read sounds copy n pasted or just overall wack):
Coming from the makers of the 'City of God' and the 'City of Men', ginga provides an in depth look in to the the lives of various Brasilian youngsters all of whom have differing dreams that include the same means, 'futebol.'
The doc is a refreshing look at the lives of rich and poor. Many sports and activities claim to break racial and social barriers, however over the years such caims have been exposed not to be true. Class divides are prevalant in cities all over the world. Yet within Brasil, and 'Ginga', there does seem to be a genuine bond and common goal between the rich and the poor alike. Paulo, one of the wealthier characters lights up the camaera not only through his skills with a football but also through his passion for life. A passion that is shared by Romarinho who, despite living in squaler conditions within the notorious Rio favela Rocinha, seems perfectly happy so long as he is able to play the beautiful game. I visited Rocinha early this year and i have to say it was one of the best experiences of my life. The people were ultra friendly compared to those met on the Copacabana strip or any other heavily tourist populated/wealthy area. More to come on this story in the next part of this Brasil series.
Overall a great doc that any football fan, Brasil fanatic, or simply anyone with an hour to spare, should watch!
This doc has an absolutely bangin' soundtrack, expect more on that and other Brasilian music in following parts to this series.
Much props goes to Catherine for some of these images, oops! I didn't ask but i'm sure she won't mind as long as drop a link to her blog.
http://www.caterpillarpen.blogspot.com/
Peace.
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