Two good Brazilian films I have watched lately:
(and I'm glad Paul watched Bus 174 now, because now we can discuss the two brazilian films in his repertoire. Yay! (PS pauly, pronounce that))

"O Homem Que Copiava" (The Man Who Copied)
This is starring Lazaro Ramos (very cool, he came and talked last semester and showed his portfolio and stuff, I think I wrote a post about it way back). He works as a photocopier and spends the rest of his time watching the girl across the street through her window, using binoculars. It is very amusing, but with some sad undertones, like the fact that the girl's dad also peeps on her - while she is showering. But I am still having trouble with the chicken, so whoever watches it please explain that part to me.



"Carandiru"
(same director as City of God, Pixote - which I have yet to see but really want to)
Carandiru is the name of an infamous Brazilian prison, crowded to about twice its capacity. The prisoners therefore (being of an overwhelming number) have the run of the prison most of the time, except for a couple of wards - there are leaders among them who keep things in relative order (for that kind of society). It is a very violent movie showing that kind of prison life, their own brand of justice, etc. It is told through the eyes of a doctor who comes to screen for AIDS and educate the prisoners on AIDS prevention.
The whole movie leads up to a prison riot and the massacre of prisoners that follows by the undiscriminating shooting of the riot squad. It's rather shocking, although there is plenty of violence leading up to it to prep you.
The movie is the last thing that was filmed in the prison before they demolished it (as a result of this riot and the attention it brought to the conditions in the prison). Now the yard is being turned into a park and the only building they left standing is going to be turned into a museum. I would feel creepy going into that museum after seeing this movie.