Released nearly 30 years ago, Brazil is often considered to be Terry Gilliam‘s crowning achievement, a vividly realized fantasy exploring a bureaucratic society. So, upon the release of his latest film The Zero Theorem (our review), it’s a great excuse to revisit the 1985 project with a 30-minute documentary that goes behind-the-scenes and an interview with Gilliam.
Captured by Rob Hedden on the set, What is Brazil? features interviews with the director, as well as co-writers Tom Stoppard and Charles McKeown as they discuss the collaboration (or lack thereof) when it came to the extensive formation of the different script variations. There’s also great footage of the wonderful set and prop design, along with interviews from the cast and crew.
Revisiting the film in the 90’s, we also have an extended interview with Gilliam looking back on the themes of the project and the bungled U.S. release of the project. Universal fought for a different version to be released — due to what Gilliam calls as “McDonald’s world of filmmaking,” but, thankfully, the director eventually won the battle. Check out both videos below courtesy of Cinephilia & Beyond.
Brazil is now available on The Criterion Collection.
Is Brazil your favorite film from Gilliam?