Institute History
Description
At the center of Lúcia Murat’s second film, Sweet Power, is the power struggle behind the scenes during an election campaign in Brazil. Murat, a journalist by profession sets out to uncover the role of the Brazilian media and stumbles upon a fascinating world seldom explored, where journalists forfeit their professional ethics for financial reward, and candidates—with the media’s help—smear each other publicly. It sounds like a colorless documentary, but in fact Sweet Power is full of humor, romance, intrigue, and real conflict.
Bia (Marisa Orth) arrives in Brasilia (Brazil’s capital) to become the news director of a major network during the election campaign. She strives to keep the news unbiased, but soon finds herself confronting forces intent on preserving the political status quo. Meanwhile, the Afro-Brazilian origins of the opposition and favored candidate rattle conservatives, who resort to dirty tactics to keep their man on top. Bia meets her old flame Chico (Antônio Fagundes), the opposition’s campaign manager, and their affair rekindles despite his being married. But Bia is also getting acquainted with Alex (Tuca Andrada), her chief news writer. This love triangle becomes an allegory for the campaign. Relationships are forged by opportunism and convenience. Murat’s sense of realism drives Sweet Power, infusing it with pathos and style.