The Edge of Democracy - True/False Film Fest

The Edge of Democracy

Petra Costa’s personal take on the coup that remade Brazil ignites a signal flare for those who live in so-called stable democracies. Presented by The Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy
Director: Petra Costa
Runtime: 2:00
In-person: Director Petra Costa
Fest Year: 2019
Known for intimate personal stories, Petra Costa ambitiously tackles the deepening political crisis in Brazil, her home country. She brings the knotty history to life through charismatic figures, including the fallen steelworker-turned-president Lula, the fiery representative Eduardo Cunha, and the newly elected authoritarian Jair Bolsonaro. The crazy ride to Bolsonaro’s ascent—terrifying to gay and indigenous communities—is marked by incendiary speeches, number-fudging, a marauding judge, an economic meltdown, and a coup. Costa illustrates the country’s widening political divide through her own family—her parents have a revolutionary history, while her grandparents are members of the conservative elite. At one point, deposed president Dilma Rousseff rides in the back seat with Costa’s mother.Those troubled by our own democracy’s fissures or attuned to the warning signs of fascism will find plenty of resonance. (PS) Presented by The Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy