Just call me Bob, the prophet, because my prediction is already coming true. Over the next 10 years, Rio will be the most watched city in the world.
And it's Year 1.
Two movies are scheduled to be released in 2011--two movies set in the Cidade Maravilhosa.
Rio
It's only natural for the Carioca director of Ice Age to make his next animated blockbuster about a macaw in Rio de Janeiro. And this film is not short of A-listers: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, Jamie Foxx, will.i.am, and (my personal favorite) Flight of the Concord's own Jemain Clement.
"Jemain?"
"Present."
Know that reference. Know it!
Don't be surprised when Rio ends up in every family's DVD collection, somewhere between the Harry Potters and Babe. Unless its alphabetical. Then it's next to Ratatouille and...R...Rat...Rat Race? Is that a movie? Rat Race? Rat Trap? Well it'll be right there.
Rio, Eu Te Amo
No movie has ever made me so enchanted by a European city than Paris, Je T'aime. There's no reason why Eu Te Amo doesn't have the same effect for South America.
The details aren't out quite yet. Just keep checking IMDB.
Consider this the first phase of the Decada de Ouro. Operation: Filme*
*NOTE* Filme is Portuguese for film. Well, it's their adaptation of it. When something American is popularized in Brazil, they sometimes just throw an e on the end. Language is fun.
I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see Rio's little quirks captured on the big screen. And, unlike City of God and Troupa de Elite these movies don't feature the city's drug violence or gang problems. You could almost call it wholesome.
Everyone, keep your olhos open for these flicks. And when strangers are talkin about em on the streets, you just think to yourself, "Wow, Bob was right. It's silly how smart he is."
It is.
