GARRINCHA: HERO OF THE JUNGLE

Andrade’s essay film portrait of Brazilian footballer Manuel Francisco dos Santos, nicknamed “Mané Garrincha,” brings together socio-political insights with a pure love of the poetry of the pitch, offering a close-read, cinematically innovative analysis of Garrincha’s elegant rapport (and competitive relationship) with his superstar teammate Pelé, while drawing a stark contrast between Garrincha’s life of arena glory and the less glamorous existences led by his working-class friends. “One of the greatest films ever made about soccer.”—Olaf Möller, Film Comment


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