A new dawn or a lingering shadow? Brazil’s political landscape through the lens of ‘Apocalypse in the Tropics’
A nation in transition
For those who opposed the policies of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, his defeat in the 2022 general election brought a sigh of relief. However, the victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, from the center-left Workers’ Party, does not signify a complete transformation. The political and demographic shifts that facilitated the rise of the far-right still loom large over Brazil, a country grappling with economic inequality and social unrest.
A filmmaker’s perspective
Petra Costa’s new documentary, Apocalypse in the Tropics, delves into Brazil’s recent past while casting an anxious eye toward its future. Costa, known for her previous work The Edge of Democracy, continues her exploration of Brazil’s political landscape with a heartfelt and impassioned narrative.
Revisiting the past
Released in 2019, The Edge of Democracy examined the factors behind Brazil’s shift to the right and expressed concern over Bolsonaro’s administration. The film gained significant attention, including a high-profile release on Netflix and an Oscar nomination. Apocalypse in the Tropics serves as a follow-up, premiering at the Venice Film Festival and featuring Brad Pitt among its executive producers.
The rise of evangelical Christianity
One of the central themes of Apocalypse in the Tropics is Brazil’s extraordinary turn toward evangelical Christianity. Costa admits that she under-investigated this phenomenon in her previous film. Over the past 40 years, the evangelical population in Brazil has grown from 5% to over 30%, making it one of the swiftest religious shifts in history. This demographic change has significantly influenced Brazil’s social and political fabric.
A close reading of scripture
Raised in a secular environment, Costa embarks on a journey to understand evangelical tenets. She delves into the Bible, particularly the New Testament, only to conclude that Brazil’s evangelical influencers are driven more by capitalism than by the word of God.
The charismatic crux
The documentary’s key figure is not Bolsonaro or Lula but Pentecostal televangelist Silas Malafaia. Malafaia, a self-styled political puppeteer with rigidly right-wing beliefs, emerges as a central figure in Brazil’s new populist politics. Costa’s interviews with Malafaia reveal his ultra-conservative Christian principles, including zero tolerance for homosexuality and abortion.
A challenge to democracy
Costa challenges Malafaia on the definition of democracy, questioning whether it should protect minorities regardless of the majority’s will. Malafaia’s flat rejection of this idea highlights the tension between evangelical politics and democratic principles. Costa reflects on the contradiction between the teachings of Jesus and the lack of empathy in the government.
The threat of theocracy
Even with the left back in power, Costa questions how far Brazil is from becoming a theocracy. The film is artfully divided into Biblically-titled chapters, using classical religious imagery to contrast with Malafaia’s media bluster. Costa’s archival research traces the influence of American preacher Billy Graham, whose tours in Brazil helped seed evangelicalism as part of a U.S. anti-Communist drive.
A suggestible public
Costa’s gaze shifts to the disenfranchised public, highly susceptible to faith-based rhetoric. In the run-up to the 2022 election, she interviews a single mother who supports Lula’s policies but is influenced by the Gospel, specifically Malafaia’s prosperity theology.
A cautionary tale
The film’s climax depicts the January 2023 riots following Bolsonaro’s election defeat, where a mob of Bolsonaro supporters, incited by calls for military intervention, stormed the Congress buildings in Brasilia. The parallel to the storming of the U.S. Capitol in 2021 is evident, serving as a cautionary tale for international viewers.
A reflection on the future
As Costa’s camera captures the vandalized beauty of Brazil’s National Congress Palace, the film leaves viewers pondering whether the apocalypse has already arrived and what the future holds for Brazil.
Apocalypse in the Tropics is a compelling documentary that offers a deep and personal reflection on Brazil’s political and social landscape. It challenges viewers to consider the implications of religious and political shifts and the future of democracy in Brazil.