This documentary about the Carandiru Penitentiary during its deactivation and demolition in 2002, serves as an interesting complement to
both Hector Babenco's film "Carandiru" (2003) and the book used as its basis "Estação Carandiru" (1999), written by Dr. Dráuzio Varella. It isn't a
retelling of events like the 1992 massacre but it's mostly about the work routine from exmployees, jailers, an administrator of the prison and,
last but not least, doctor Varella, our host in those prison chronicles as he commanded an AIDS prevention program, that started in 1989. Built in
the 1920's, the complex went through several changes and it was the largest prison of Latin America, holding more than 7000 prisoners
during its most critical period (late 1980's and 1990's).
It's peculiar to notice that despite the place being a chaotic hell of dangerous situations and the inner moral codes from the inmates, the
jailers manage to share funny anedoctes while dealing with the prisoners or themselves, attempt escapes and jailers trying to push drugs into the
cells. There's a bizarre sense of levity and humor in those stories, but the moments where the place get out of control are also shared here, and
the 1992 rebellion and invasion from police forces that claimed the lives of 111 inmates, leading to the creation of one of the most important
organizations within prison cells around Brazil, as retaliation.
Pretty much like Dr. Varella's book, it's about showing the routine of places most people won't dare to enter, how it is established respectful
dynamics, control and orders from all sides. Also serves as a bittersweet moment from the workers shown in the film as they have to leave the place
after decades of service, without prospects of being transfered to other institutions, or getting fired or retired. They can't help but feeling down
during interviews since they did their job, as difficult it were, painful and trouble as every day is a box of shaky surprises, yet they loved their
job. And we follow them through empty corridors (as the prisoners were already being transfered to other jails), empty cells, the tiny infirmary that
scared the doctor at times due to the high number of tuberculosis patients, and the improvised shower created by inmates, among other things.
It's a very depressing doc to watch, slightly softened with the curious stories shared by the workers. But for audiences who want to know
more on the Carandiru Penitentiary and see a different perspective barely shown on screen, this offers a great insight about the topic and the lives
of those in the frontline of keeping criminals outside of society's view. 8/10.
