Lula, the Son of Brazil at PSIFF

'Lula, the Son of Brazil' screened at the 2011 Palm Springs International Film Festival to a somewhat skeptical audience. But while some doubted the political subject matter, all who screened the film were pleasantly surprised by this mildly political narrative and very human story about Brazil's beloved ex-president. It isn't common knowledge that Lula grew up in poverty with a strong mother who faced unspeakable adversity to raise her child well with the drive and courage to 'never give up' in life or his dreams and to 'never forget where he came from'. It is a touching story about the early life of Lula (Luis Inacio Lula da Silva) and his path towards politics brilliantly portrayed by newcomer Brazilian actor Rui Ricardo Diaz.

The film's producer Paula Barreto explained on panel that Rui was destined to play this role as Lula and that he did such a miraculous job that even the ex-president Lula cried when he watched himself represented on film. Actress Gloria Pires also played an unforgettable performance as Lula's mother Dona Lindu. This film delivers not only as a life story of Lula but also as a fantastic film about success in the face of abject poverty and unrelenting adversity and about never giving up. Two enthusiastic nods for 'Lula, the Son of Brazil'

written by, Vanessa McMahon Jan 18, 2011