Maite Proenca Movies
- 2002
A writer turned insurance investigator follows an ominous trail in this thriller from Brazilian director Flavoria R. Tambellini. Ivan Canabrava's (Jose Mayer) specialty as an insurance investigator is cases in which the perpetrators have used Bufo Marinus to commit fraud. A poison secreted by frogs that induces catalepsy in humans, the chemical's uncanny ability to bring about death-like symptoms allows the user to collect large life insurance policies and commit numerous other crimes. Subsequently giving up his career and focusing on writing, a decade later Canabrava discovers what appears to be a resurgence of the once popular drug and subsequently embarks on an investigation that may place his life in grave danger. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jose Mayer, Tony Ramos, (more)
- 1995
This highly-stylized Brazilian black comedy takes a sarcastic, thinly disguised, metaphorical look at how avarice and materialism has corrupted Brazil. It also looks at the extreme division between rich and poor and speculates upon what would happen if the roles were suddenly reversed. The story was shot in black and white and utilizes minimalist cardboard sets. It centers upon wealthy Vittorio, a highly successful 44-year-old businessman (the amount of days he has lived comprises the film's title) who runs his company with an iron hand. Unlike his impoverished workers, Vittorio and his wife and son live on an enormous estate in a beautiful mansion. The trouble begins when Jackson attempts to burgle the place and is caught and jailed. The vengeful tycoon hires a killer to eliminate the would-be thief. Unfortunately, the killer gets the wrong man causing Vittorio to feel so guilty that he offers the late fellow's poverty-stricken widow a place in his home. She comes (without knowing that it was he who caused her husband's demise) with her three wild little boys and havoc follows as they nearly destroy the house with their rambunctious ways. Later, she sleeps with Vittorio's son and this causes even more problems. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The life of the "banker" (Rogerior Samora)of an illegal gambling syndicate is the focus of this high-profile Brazilian production. Though these syndicates for the game jogo do bicho operate in ways very much resembling the U.S.'s mafioso, from the banker's perspective, the only thing of consequence in his life is his relationship with his girlfriend (arcella Praddo). Cameo appearances by soccer great Pele and Brazilian TV stars Jose Wilker, Tarcisio Meira and others enliven this drama, which is of particular interest to those familiar with current Brazilian popular culture. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jose Wilker, Tarcisio Meira, (more)
- 1987
American gangster movies of the 1940s are spoofed in this complex crime thriller and comedy. Lucas takes time out from his everyday life in a nearly deserted cinema which is playing a gangster movie. One of the other patrons is a woman who looks almost exactly like the heroine of the movie on the screen, and he begins to pay more attention to her than to what's happening onscreen. Afterwards, the sultry siren, whose name is Suzana, leads him on a dangerous wild goose chase, exposing the ex-boxer-turned-businessman to a criminal world of violence and double-dealing. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Antonio Fagundes, Maite Proenca, (more)
