Dzi Croquettes


Dzi Croquettes is a 2009 Brazilian documentary film directed by Tatiana Issa and Raphael Alvarez about the dance and theater group of the same name.
WWW Official Site

Overview

The Dzi Croquettes were a groundbreaking dance and theater group who used their talent and a mix of humor and derision to challenge the violent dictatorship that gripped Brazil in the 1970s. Creating a new stage language that would influence an entire generation, this theater group revolutionized the gay movement despite being banned and censored by the military regime. Through interviews and archival footage of the group's performances, directors Raphael Alvarez and Tatiana Issa reveal the origin of the group, their relentless perfectionism, and their unexpected stroke of luck when Liza Minnelli becomes a godmother of sorts to them. However, it also gives an honest account of the sadness of their final years when tension, egos, AIDS, and even murder ripped them apart. The film combines candid interviews with group members and current Brazilian and International artists, showing how this group never flinched from challenging conventional notions of acceptable "masculine" or "feminine" behavior.

Release

The film had its US premiere at the acclaimed MoMA followed by theatrical release in the United States at the IFC Village Cinemas in New York and Sunset 5 Cinemas Los Angeles, besides theatrical release in Europe and Brazil.

Reception

The film received outstanding reviews in major newspapers such as New York Times, Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Film Journal International, Time Out New York, Village Voice, among others.

Awards