The Counterforce in Brazil

[RICHARD ROMEO]

Just saw the "european version" of Brazil, a movie I hadn't seen in a 
while.  What made this viewing refreshing was the view on 
terrorism/opposition, what have you.  In fact, there aren't any 
terrorists, but just the systems within society cracking up unexpectedly, 
giving the excuse for oppression.  Now many who have seen it will 
probably go duh, but I hadn't until my second viewing.  Only the Tuttle's 
of the world working outside the system actually attempt to fix things 
for the better.  The truly terrifying thing is There is no escape, no one 
will save you, it's all in your tortured mind if you thinks so.  The 
explosions in Brazil seem to represent that attitude that everything is 
connected or maybe even more terrible, everything is not connected and 
just shoots itself in the foot every once in a while. Most impressed how 
each scene in the movie gives evidence of a society in collapse yet still 
functioning, albeit in strange ways..



What does that say about the Counterforce, individual independent acts of 
minute resistance (not destruction mind you-only they do that  but 
attempts at rebellion through building to make things better) ala Tuttle 
is all we have to keep us sane?



Richard Romeo

Coordinator of Cooperating Collections

The Foundation Center-NYC

212-807-2417

rromeo at fdncenter.org