NEM TUDO E VERDADE
(IT’S NOT ALL TRUE)
Dir. Rogério Sganzerla, 1985
95 mins. Brazil
In Portuguese with English subtitles.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 – 7:30 PM

“Orson Welles taught me not to separate politics from crime.” – Rogério Sganzerla

“What is false gets so close to what is true that the wise man must not walk such a dangerous cliff…”

The first of four films made about Orson Welles’ Pan-American trip to Brazil told through archival images, re-enactments, interviews, faux documentary, pastiche, and film essay. The pun of the title serves as an inverse of the Orson Welles film, “It’s All True” as well as a literal reference to its consisting of both documentary and staged reenactment. The documentary scenes feature interviews with composer Herivelto and great Brazillian actor, Grande Othelo, while the reenactments feature fascinating vignettes with Orson Welles played by Paulista rock personality Arrigo Berbabe (Who bears a striking resemblance to a young Orson Welles) and Helena Ignez as Shifra Hara. These sketches employ direct quotations from statements made by welles to the press, with the intent to evoke Welles’ vision of the “It’s All True” project, and the difficulties he encountered dealing with the Brazilian authorities.