Neon Bull

A visually stunning and sensual road-movie, Neon Bull follows the fate of a group of bull-keepers working for a travelling rodeo-show in the beautiful and barren Brazilian North-East. There is a hardness to life in this region of open, barren landscapes and low incomes.

Iremar is a modern Brazilian cowboy, whose daily task is to take care of the bulls and prepare them for the shows. It’s intense phyiscal work, which involves standing in muddy sand pits most of the day. His female colleague and friend Galega drives the pick-up and works as an exotic dancer in a bar. Travelling alongside them is Caca, Galegas 10-year old daughter, and their pot-bellied colleague Ze. Their bond is one of reluctant coexistence, rather than family or friendship, travelling from show to show in an unwelcoming terrain.

This is a tough and macho world, but Neon Bull takes a decidely original and modern stance on issues of gender, power and physical strength. Iremar may be a cowboy, but he is also a remarkably talented seamster, and puts his heart and soul into designing costumes for Galega’s dance numbers. This is a film where pregnant women work as security guards, and mothers aren’t necessarily motherly.

Neon Bull is more about observation than storytelling, yet there is a constant tension and vitality at work in its stunning visuals, shifting from gritty realism to neon-lit moments of abstract beauty. Every shot is a beautifully composed arrangement of light and shadow, brilliant colors and strained muscle. An unusual, surprising and gorgeous-looking tribute to both man and animal.

Gabriel Mascaro (1983) is a filmmaker and visual artist born in Recife. His works have been featured at important film festivals and artistic events including Rotterdam, the Guggenheim museum, MoMA and the São Paulo Art Biennale. Neon Bull, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, is his second feature, after August Winds (2014).

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Film: Neon Bull
Time: October 11, 8 p.m.
Place: Filmens Hus - Tancred

After this screening, there will be a conversation between director Gabriel Mascaro and Montages.

There will also be a Q&A with the director after the screening at Vika 1 October 12 at 5.45 p.m.