Lula, Son of Brazil

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Lula: Son of Brazil is a 2009 Brazilian biographical film about the early life of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. It was directed by Fábio Barreto and stars Rui Ricardo Dias as Lula, with Glória Pires playing his mother Dona Lindu and Juliana Baroni as Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva.

The film was based on the book by journalist Denise Paraná, who helped write the screenplay with Fábio Barreto and Daniel Tendler. It had a large budget for Brazilian cinema, about 17 million reais, and was released widely in Brazil on January 1, 2010 after premiering in 2009 at film festivals.

Plot in brief
The story follows Lula from his birth in October 1945 in Garanhuns, Pernambuco, through his family’s moves to Santos and then São Paulo. Lula grows up helping his family, becomes a lathe operator, and joins the labor movement. His union work brings him into conflict with Brazil’s military dictatorship, and he is imprisoned. The film ends as he becomes a well-known union leader, when his mother dies.

Production and music
Filming took place in Garanhuns, Santos and Guarujá. The soundtrack, composed by Antonio Pinto, includes Lula’s favorite songs and period pieces, and even features performances linked to Lula’s own tastes. The soundtrack album was released before the film, a first for Brazil.

Reception and controversy
Lula: Son of Brazil was controversial. Critics argued it acted as election propaganda and portrayed Lula in an overly heroic light, downplaying failures. Some media outlets questioned the funding, noting connections to construction firms with government contracts. The film did not do well at the box office overall, though it drew interest during the election period. It was directed by Fábio Barreto, produced by Luiz Carlos Barreto and Paula Barreto, and featured Glória Pires and other well-known Brazilian actors.

Critical response was mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has about 26% approval, and on Metacritic it scores around 44/100. Some reviewers criticized its omissions and embellishments, while others defended the project as a dramatic retelling of Lula’s rise.

Awards and releases
In September 2010, Brazil’s Ministry of Culture selected Lula: Son of Brazil as Brazil’s submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards, though it did not make the final shortlist. The film also premiered internationally, including a 2010 release in Argentina and a planned (but later uncertain) U.S. release.

Home media and legacy
The DVD was released in mid-2010 with extra features, including an interview with Lula. The film remains a notable, debated part of Brazil’s contemporary cinema, praised by some for telling an important life story while criticized by others for its political timing and portrayal of events.