An interview with Lucas Araujo , director of The Ballad of Death ( Brazil, 2017 )

​

Q01 - Tell the audience here in HK about the violence and reality of Brazil that inspires your film.

 

The idea of ​​the movie started with images of real scenes that I could see from my bedroom window in the city where I live here in Brazil. By this window I saw many violent scenes happening and that in some way affected significantly the relationship of people with this urban space. With these experiences I was creating scenes and blocks which I could somehow summarize aesthetically and visually this urban violence so present in the big cities of Brazil, not only in our country, but also in the whole world as well.

 

The city where I live in a certain way has been accumulating from this aggressiveness and a social paranoia has been created and imposed on people who walk on the streets, squares and public places of this city. The "The Ballad of Death" revolves around this urban fear I live.

 

 

Q02 - How did you start making films, and tell us about your other film projects.

 

I started to get interested in movies still in school. My first short I made with 15 years with class friends. My interest was greatly stimulated by the easy acess on films that I had in the old movies stores in my neighborhood (now all closed).

 

I have always been closed to horror movies and the power that this cinematic genre has as a sensorial and imaginative force. I love Sion Sono !!! Was one of the directors who inspired me to keep making movies!

 

I am currently completing my first feature film named "Canecalon - The Long Hair of Death". Directed and scripted by me and Guilherme Dacosta. I hope to debut it as soon as possible!

 

 

Q03 - Which city do you live in Brazil, and what films are people watching in your city right now ? Hollywood movies ? Art house , or local films ?  How has local filmmakers been doing amongst the competition from Hollywood films.  (for your information,  the program director has been to Rio and Sao Paulo and loved your country ) 

 

At this moment, I live in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, more specifically in the city of Pelotas. I was born in Maranhão, but I had to do college (cinema course) here, because there wasn't one of that in my city. Hollywood films always had a lot of space here in Brazil, unfortunately the market continues to increasingly absorving these films in our few exhibition rooms in the country.

 

A fact that has been occurring frequently in our cinematography is from big box offices with comedy films produced here. The public has surrendered to these comedies. On the one hand this contact with our cinema, this stimulation is very good, but on the other hand, these films end up not giving account and limitating the rooms to another view of the excellent Brazilian production.

 

A good way to stimulate this audience is with the film festivals and shows. Numerous festivals take places throughout the year, opening an alternative window for these films. It is also very good to see films like "Aquarius" (Dir. Kleber Mendonça Filho) and "Neon Bull" (Dir. Gabriel Mascaro) running a notorious worldwide paths.

​