Bate Bola, the noisy, clown-costumed cousin to Rio de Janeiro's Carnival

March 8, 2019 11:23 AM

On the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro during its world famous Carnival, far from the beach and the touristic clichés, there is an explosive contest between neighbourhoods. This old form of carnival features teams of futuristic gladiators that are a surreal mixture of play and menace. A tradition that has its roots in ancient European carnival traditions and in African rituals, they look like visitors from another planet. [...] A love letter to Brazil, in all of its beauty and all of its pain, this film is a joyous celebration and battle cry from the heart of Rio's forgotten neighbourhoods. This is the Rio Carnival that you have never seen before. This is Bate Bola. (YouTube, 16 minutes; Beija Films Bate Bola webpage) [via Atlas Obscura]

Bonus videos: BATE-BOLA: O MAIS BONITO (YT, 30:31 -- a Portuguese documentary) & Bate Bola do Galego (YT, 8:22 -- a more personal look at costume-making and performance, also in Portuguese)

posted by filthy light thief (1 comment total)

I just read about this, and I am taken by the fancy witches concept. This could become my go to halloween funk, like forever! This whole business is so artistic, and old, interconnected, Clovis, what, Portuguese and all. Beautiful and fascinating.
posted by Oyéah at 7:40 PM on March 8, 2019