By 
By Roger Costa
WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN THE WORLD’S ON FIRE?
Award-winning documentarian Roberto Minervini returns with this shocking, raw and inclusive take on the contemporary (and very violent) racial conflicts in America. He delves into a community of African-American struggling people in New Orleans, observing their daily activities in the battle against prejudice and police brutality. A group of activists from the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense gather in front of the local Police Department, courageously demanding justice for the mysteriously brutal killings of some black men in the community; two brothers wander around, experiencing childhood lessons and contemplating the future; a mother instructs her son on how to survive in the unsettled world; and a woman struggles with financials, while helping wounded people heal from their traumas, involving gun violence, drug-addiction, sexual abuse, social displacement and family crisis. Through the contact and revelations given by these folks, living on the edge of the uncertain, trapped between a corrupt and racist law, a modern slavery system, natural fears and the risks of criminality, Minervini superbly crafts another knockout portrait of America’s dysfunctional classes divisions, the upside downs of our dreams and racial injustices. Shot in an enthralled B&W, capturing poetical moments of silent anguish and hatred hearts, communion and compassion, as well as their strong determination to accomplish equality and safe grounds, this multiple Venice’s award-winning doc is a powerful, urgent, moving and haunting look at racism. (KimStim. 8/16. Film at Lincoln Center.)
SOCRATES
An acclaimed selection at this year’s Independent Spirit Awards, where it won the respected “Someone to Watch Award” given to first-time Brazilian director Alexandre Moratto, “Socrates” brings a fierce, strongly emotional and highly convincing performance by Christian Malheiros. He plays the title-role, which earned him a nomination for the Best Actor prize, disputing it alongside names such as Ethan Hawke and Joaquin Phoenix. After his mother dies, Socrates, a 15-year-old boy struggling with his identity and sexuality, delves into a journey of hopelessness and determination as he seeks the fastest way to survive. Trying to avoid the social services, his abusive estranged father, and a possible foster family, he will put himself at risky situations, using every skill he can come out with; disoriented, abandoned by the circumstances, hungry and lonely, he meets Maicon, an ambiguous worker with whom he develops an intense, sexually-charged connection. But their relationship is not a romantic affair- their bond is more of a necessity, an aggressive encounter, a complex mutual examination, a way of ignoring the troubles, poverty and prejudice so constant in their lives. Addressing the drastic, unacceptable unemployment issue in Brazil, the diversity of faith and moral perspectives, the turbulence of a broken heart and soul traversing hormonal conflicts, and the ambiguity of Millennials, Moratto efficiently crafts a truthful, courageous and heartfelt portrait of an urban quest for survival. (Breaking Glass Pictures. 8/9 Laemmle Music Hall L.A. 8/16 Cinema Village NYC. 8/20 On DVD.)
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