Cast
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Héctor Babenco
as Self
Willem Dafoe
as Self
Bárbara Paz
as Self
Ana Simonsen
as
Pedro Simonsen
as
Chen Lin
as Hong Kong Model
Fernanda Montenegro
as Banquet Attendee
Paulo José
as Banquet Attendee
Fernanda Torres
as Banquet Attendee
Selton Mello
as Banquet Attendee
Chico Diaz
as Banquet Attendee
Xuxa Lopes
as Banquet Attendee
Regina Braga
as Banquet Attendee
Myra Babenco
as Banquet Attendee
João Camargo
as Banquet Attendee
Crew
Director
- Bárbara Paz
Writer
- Bárbara Paz
- Maria Camargo
Producer
- Bárbara Paz
- Myra Babenco
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
Babenco: Tell Me When I Die represents a fascinating example of Documentary cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Bárbara Paz brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2020, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Babenco: Tell Me When I Die took approximately 33 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 74 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 113 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1559 individual shots.
- The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2020, when this film is released:
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Babenco: Tell Me When I Die shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat, which focuses more on action than character development, Babenco: Tell Me When I Die offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Caligari: When Horror Came to Cinema and Elton John: Never Too Late explore similar territory, Babenco: Tell Me When I Die stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 26, 2020
- Runtime: 1h 14m
