Brazil

(1985)

"It's only a state of mind."

"Brazil" is the second feature film by Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python fame.  If you're familiar with Gilliam's extremely off-the-wall animated sequences from his work with the Monty Python Group, and/or have seen his first feature-length film (Time Bandits, from 1981) then you might be able to imagine what sprouts from his creative consciousness in his second full-length film.

Starring Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Michael Palin, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, and Ian Holm, "Brazil" is a sci-fi fantasy and black comedy that defies clear explanation (just as you might expect from Gilliam); rife with visuals and creative lunacies that amuse, fascinate, and horrify.

Bryce stars as Sam Lowry, a bureaucrat in a futuristic world, whose boring life changes after his lovelorn daydreams of a woman he's never met draw him unwittingly into an increasingly surreal world that, since the making of the film over 25 years ago, foreshadows a possible future for us all.

"Brazil" will be showing in Raleigh at The North Carolina Museum  of Art, at 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Friday, September 23rd at 8 pm.  The film is part of the Fall Film Series at the Museum focusing on surrealism.  Tickets are $3.50 for Museum members, students, Cinema Inc. and Galaxy Cinema members, and $5 for all others.  Tickets may be ordered by phone by calling 919-715-5923, and in person (East Building) during regular hours:  Tues.-Thur., Sat.-Sun. 10 am-5pm, Fri. 10 am-9 pm.Photo credit: Embassy International Pictures