O ZELADOR (The Caretaker)

A feature-length documentary, O ZELADOR explores the life of MESTRE RUSSO. A remarkable individual who lives with his family in Baixada Fluminense, a former plantation about an hours bus ride from the centre of Rio de Janeiro. It is a desperately poor area of dirt tracks, roaming animals, open sewers and ramshackle houses.

At an early age MESTRE RUSSO discovered the value of CAPOEIRA. The music, physical agility, self-defence and philosophy of this Afro-Brazilian cultural manifestation helped him endure a life fraught with danger and hardship.

Shot over a period of 23 months (spanning 4 years), the film is an intimate portrait of MESTRE RUSSO, his wife and sons and his loyal group of students who claim that RUSSO’s love, knowledge and guidance have been an inspiration to them. He is a father figure to each of them, They, in turn have provided him with the extended family which he sought.

RUSSO holds a meeting every Sunday, a ‘Roda’ (literally ‘circle’) in Caxias where people come and play CAPOEIRA in the street. This Roda endured the oppressive regime during the dictatorship and has survived for 35 years up until today.

The film includes interviews with RUSSO, his family, students, other Masters as well as journalists, academics and a Candomble priest. These interviews, together with archive footage and photographs chart the turbulent history of CAPOEIRA and sets it in its cultural, social, and political context told through the life of this remarkable man.

Feature Running Time:
84 minutes

Language:
Portuguese

Subtitles:
English

DVD Extras:
Directors Commentary
Interviews
Capoeira
Booklet

Format:
All region NTSC