While it may be Terry Gilliam’s greatest achievement as a filmmaker, Brazil was not treated with the reverance the masterpiece deserved upon its initial release. Loosly inspired by George Orwell’s 1984, Brazil takes place in a dystopic future in which mankind’s individuality has been crushed by government totalitarianism and beaureacracy. Perfectly balancing Gilliam’s penchant for goofy humor with some profound commentary and beautiful imagery, Brazil was deemed too dark by some American studio suits and given a cheesy re-edit. Luckily, the version widely available nowadays is Gilliam’s original vision. Gilliam’s attention to detail makes this a film well worth seeing on a large screen and it’s paranoid, devastating tone grows increasingly appropriate as the years go on.
Wed., Aug. 27, 7 p.m., 2008
