Neon Bull
Description
Strange and erotic, with an unexpected view of gender roles, this film is set in the macho world of bull wrangling yet its male protagonist is interested in fashion and designs dresses. In dusty farmland with scattered signs of heavy industrialization in Northeast Brazil, a cowhand, Iremar, nurtures his passion on the side. Drawing clothes on women in a co-worker’s nudie magazine and toting mannequins with him in the back of a truck while taking bulls around the rodeo circuit, he pursues his true calling. When a handsome new worker comes to help, a hothouse atmosphere erupts among the small group of cowboys. Director Gabriel Mascaro’s film depicts an environment where most animals endure harsh treatment, but within that reality, steamy fantasy abounds; for example, Iremar designs the provocative horse-themed costumes his truck-driving boss Galega wears in the sexy dance routines she performs at the end of each rodeo. Depictions of the carnal don’t end there in a film less focused on story than on provocative impressionistic vignettes. As Neon Bull plays with gender norms and stereotypical ideas of masculinity within the virile world of the rodeo, this disquieting drama, winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, evokes a way of life where it is possible to follow one’s dreams. —Nick Rahaim
Gabriel Mascaro is a 32-year-old visual artist and film director from Recife, Brazil, with a large portfolio of photography, documentary and theatrical works. His first feature film, August Winds (2014), shot with an amateur cast, received worldwide acclaim. His work has been displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona, the Guggenheiem and New York’s MOMA Documentary Fortnight.
Film Details
Language Portuguese
Year 2015
Runtime 101
Country Brazil/Uruguay/Netherlands
Director Gabriel Mascaro
Producer Rachel Ellis
Writer Gabriel Mascaro
Editor Fernando Epstein, Eduardo Serrano
Cinematographer Diego García
Music Otávio Santos, Cláudio N, Carlos Montenegro
Cast Juliano Cazarré, Aline Santana, Carlos Pessoa, Maeve Jinkings