Terry Gilliam’s 1985 dystopic science fiction comedy Brazil had a difficult release that mirrored its themes of bureaucracy, denial, mindless consumerism, and relentless propaganda. The head of the Studio tried to neuter the film’s dark, humanistic message, worried it wouldn’t play to his target audience of 17-to-29 year-olds. And, indeed, this now-classic satire was a box-office flop.

So what do today’s 20-somethings make of Brazil? Do themes of authoritarianism, constant surveillance, and the loss of individuality resonate with a generation saturated in new surveillance technology? Is what was funny in 1985 still funny 38 years later?

Our young and old film-lovers discuss Monty Python, Robert De Niro, if the love-struck Jonathan Crane is sympathetic or a creepy stalker, and whether this visually stunning, handmade tour-de-force still dazzles in an age of easy CGI.

Hosts: Mark Netter & David Tausik 

Panelists: Grace Chapman & Olive Goldberg

An ElectraCast Production

Winner 1985 L.A. Film Critics Awards Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director

Not on any AFI top films lists

Original Video Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKPFC8DA9_8

Imdb with New Trailer: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_brazil

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_(1985_film)

Pauline Kael Review: https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/brazil

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