Manda Bala (Send a Bullet)

Jason Kohn's Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning documentary presents a troubling picture of today's Brazil, where crime and corruption are surreally commonplace within a seemingly lawless environment. One of the most successful sectors in the Brazilian economy is the creation of bulletproof cars, due to the abnormally high level of kidnappings and criminal assaults on the nation's roads. Manda Bala features interviews with kidnappers—including an eerie encounter with a man in a ski mask—and their victims, such as a woman whose ears were cut off to speed a ransom extortion transaction (plastic surgery for ear reconstruction is another new Brazilian industry). In addition, the film visits a local frog farm, which at first seems benign until viewers discover its exact purpose in the warped scheme of things (no spoilers—you'll have to see this for yourself). Manda Bala's unflinching presentation of violence sometimes seems like an unholy mix of Mondo Cane and Faces of Death, but Kohn's laser-focused aim of capturing a seriously dysfunctional society on film makes for a stunning accomplishment. Highly recommended. [DVD extras include a director and producers' audio commentary track and disturbing additional scenes. Bottom line: the bonus footage adds greater depth to this jolting film.] (P. Hall)