Rio: The Movie was released in Brazil and around the world last week, and had the biggest international opening of 2011, and one of the top five biggest openings of all time in Brazil, with 1.1 million viewers there. Finally, it's opening in the US today, with great reviews. It's just one of several American movies featuring Brazil coming out this year; Fast and the Furious premieres in Rio today, and the next Twilight installment is due out in November.
There's lots of buzz about the movie beyond its early box office success. Check out this video from the NYT with Carlos Saldanha discussing the film:
The Brazilian Tourism Ministry took advantage of the film's release to launch ad campaigns in the US, including promotional videos and a very cool subway ad campaign in New York. (Thanks to Dennis for the photo)
Cool! There is even a video monitor in each subway car showing pictures of waterfalls, beaches and whitewater rafting. It was clear that all the commuters were groovin' on the car design - much better than the usual monothemed cars they sometimes have.
Posted by: Dennis | April 15, 2011 at 11:23 PM
We watched and we loved it, Rachel.
Posted by: Henrique | April 16, 2011 at 10:45 PM
The video won't play.
Posted by: Magno | April 18, 2011 at 10:25 AM
I loved it! I thought it was super cute! I loved the way they showed Lapa, Ipanema, Sapucai and Jardim Botanico. I also thought the monkey - thieves with their gold jewelry were such a hilarious touch. The little boy from the favela was a gracinha, and I like how they showed the slums. His poverty was sad yet not unreal.
This movie was perfect for me since I escaped the midwest to live in Rio. The whole concept of escaping to a place where your spirit feels free and where you are more amongst your kind really calls my attention. The only thing I didn't like was how the bird was portrayed as a doofus...he should have been more of a bad a$$ like the female bird...the love story between him and the bird as well as between their owners was not believable but hey, it's a parade of color and happiness so who the hell cares? Loved it!
Posted by: ssanchez | April 18, 2011 at 01:05 PM
The video works for me. Could be it doesn't work outside of the US, or if you've accessed more than 20 articles/media things on the NYT this month?
Posted by: Rio Gringa | April 18, 2011 at 08:34 PM
The movie was very cute, the images made me want to revisit Rio and the music made my 3 year old goddaughter want to get out of her seat and dance!
Posted by: jackie | April 19, 2011 at 05:19 PM