A biopic of Brazilian labor/environmental activist Chico Mendes, this was produced for HBO cable television, with all the attendant flaws and virtues of a nobility-juiced feature.
As a child Mendes witnessed his father and fellow rubber-tappers stand by as a union organizer burned to death at the hands of federal soldiers. Determined to make a better future for his people, adult Chico (Raul Julia) works closely with labor leader Wilson Pinheiro (Edward James Olmos), whose
advocacy of workers' rights makes enemies in high places. Business execs, cattlemen like Darli Alves (Tomas Milian) and bent politician Orlavo Galvao (Tony Plana) form a consortium to clear Ama...
Released:
1994
Rated:
NR
Length:
127 mins