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Cadência - exploring culture through football

In the midst of the World Cup fever, Daren Bartlett’s latest cinematic exploration of Brazilian culture - Cadência – was screened as part of a documentary film festival hosted by the Curzon cinema in Soho.

Mondomix first encountered East London-based film-maker via his moving portrait of capoeira master Russo in the acclaimed documentary O Zelador and 'cadência' – the concept that underpins his most recent foray into the culture of Rio De Janeiro - was most enticing. It’s a word that that has a particular resonance in the context of music, dance, speech, capoeira and, of course, football. Commissioned by Nike, Cadência unveils the pulse, the rhythm, the intense poetry in motion that permeates Brazilian life whether on a football pitch, through the art of flying a kite (pipa), or through the mysterious and menacing Bate Bola / Clovis carnival association.

There is a spontaneity to Cadência that stems from the rapidity with which the film (shooting & editing) came together. From the dramatic opening sequence, which gazes down on Rio de Janeiro, the viewer is aware that one is about to experience something special. It’s a trip that homes in on various cultural incarnations specific to Rio but one which spans the development of Brazilian football. From the arrival of the ball and the FA rules in Brazil via an Englishman, Charles Miller, Daren Bartlett takes us through a succession of World Cups, the building of the mighty Maracana stadium, the struggle for democracy in football as a reflection of resistance against the military dictatorship and that glorious era of Football Arte. Vintage and contemporary footage is combined with Jiwon Park’s free flowing art work/animation.

Guided by the words of academics, artists, one legendary footballer – Socrates (the charismatic, cigarette smoking radical who was training to be a doctor while holding down the captaincy of the 1982 national team) - and ‘o povo’ (the people) we go on a poetic journey that illuminates Brazil’s symbolic identity. Daren Bartlett maintains, “The real inspiration for Cadência was to be able to address aspects of Brazilian culture that I had come across after living in Rio for nearly three years. I feel that the generosity, attention and care the Brazilian people have shown me are reflected in the work I produce about their lives and their cultures.” Like O Zelador, this film is confirmation of Daren’s deep respect and passion for the culture of Brazil and as Rio de Janeiro gears up to host World Cup 2014, Cadência has already taken on a fresh light.

Paul Bradshaw / Straight No Chaser

Watch out for cinema showings and check out Cadência in 5 episodes on-line at http://www.babelgum.com/cadencia

Socrates is in conversation with author/composer José Miguel Wisnik and writer Alex Bellos discussing Brazilian culture and football

Sunday 18 July 2010

part of the Southbank's Festival Brazil

www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Cadencia - trailer

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