Escape by Bus Documentary Illuminates Reasons for Hostage-Taking Crisis by Ky N. Nguyen ìBus 174,î an illuminating documentary directed by Jose Padilha, recounts the tragic events of June 12, 2000, in Rio de Janeiro when Sandro do Nascimento attempted to rob bus riders, resulting in a hostage crisis that became the top-rated Brazilian television show of the year. During the crisis, Nascimento repeatedly yelled out to the camera that this is not an ìaction movie.î Yet, thatís basically what viewers saw. The bad guy was on drugs, acting crazy and threatening the lives of innocent bystanders. The viewers rooted for the good guysóthe policeóto prevail and vanquish the bad guy. Almost no one asked: Why is Nascimento resorting to such a desperate action? In the documentary, however, sociologists and others explain that he was trying to be noticed and escape his poverty-stricken situationóbeing invisible in Brazilian society at large. The filmmakers recount the background of the homeless young man. As a youngster, his father was missing in action. He witnessed his motherís shooting death in a robbery. Living on the streets, Nascimento turned to drugs, did stints in juvenile detention, and survived the infamous Candelaria Massacre, in which seven street kids were killed and many more injured by police shooting into a public square. The documentaryís most haunting scene takes place in a Brazilian prison. Prisoners are packed like sardines in hot, unsanitary conditions. They press their faces against the prison bars, wailing against their inhumane situation. The viewer thinks of Edward Munchís ìThe Screamîómultiplied ad nauseam with sound and motion. In such a society, itís no wonder that Nascimento ended up where he did. ìBus 174 ('nibus 174)î (Portuguese with subtitles; 122 min.) opens Fri., Dec. 5, at Visions Cinema/Bistro/Lounge. Candid Camera Coup ìThe Revolution Will Not Be Televisedî represents a classic case of being in the right place at the right time. Irish filmmakers Kim Bartley and Donnacha OíBriain were in Caracas, Venezuela, filming a profile of populist President Hugo Chavez. During filming, they witnessed a coupóbacked by the educated, conservative upper class with possible foreign help. By that time, Chavez and his staff were so used to the camera that they carried on as usual. Bartley and OíBriain were trapped inside the presidential palace and had unbelievable access during the coup. They stayed even after Chavez left and businessman Pedro Carmona proclaimed himself president with ìa mandate better than any referendum.î Carmonaís followers dismantled the state-run television station. All of the private channels then presented propaganda backing the new government, such as statements that Chavez had resigned. Using alternate camera angles, the documentary shows how one private television station intentionally faked coverage, as explained by a producer at the station who quit in protest. However, the new government was unable to block cable and satellite channels, such as CNN, which presented more accurate accounts of the happenings. Remarkably, the coup was overthrown literally by the power of the people. When Chavezís supporters learned of the coup, several hundred thousand circled the presidential palace, and with their backing, the presidential guard (still loyal to Chavez) arrested the insurgents. The documentary camera captured a stunning moment when Chavezís people confront Carmonaís imprisoned staff. ìThe Revolution Will Not Be Televisedî (English and Spanish with subtitles; 74 min.) opens Fri., Dec. 12, at Landmarkís Bethesda Row. Donít Ask, Donít Tell With ìYossi & Jagger,î New York-born Israeli helmer Eytan Fox (ìSong of the Sirenî) presents a sensitive story about gay lovers in the Israeli army. The odd couple is serving in a small, secluded mountain outpost near the Lebanon border. Introverted company commander Yossi (Ohad Knoller) somehow manages to maintain a covert relationship with the charismatic Jagger (Yehuda Levi, called ìthe Israeli Tom Cruiseî). Theyíre so successful at keeping their secret that a female soldier intends to seduce Jagger. Considered the company superstar, Jagger is nonetheless nearing the end of his military service. He wants to come out of the closet and bring Yossi with him. Being a career military man, Yossi hesitates to do so, fearing the consequences. Their relationship is further tested when the company undergoes a dangerous mission. Foxís script starts out slow but ends in a bang, delivering an emotional wallop. Its study of the microcosm of the army also comments on the macho, militaristic nature of Israeli society at large. ìYossi & Jaggerî further succeeds with excellent ensemble acting from the likable cast, which delivers easily believable, natural performances. Knoller won Best Actor at the recent Tribeca Film Festival. ìYossi & Jaggerî (Hebrew with subtitles; 65 min.) is now playing at the Avalon Theatre. Little Schoolhouse on the Mountain The top-grossing documentary in French history, ìTo Be and To Have,î opens following a successful retrospective of director Nicolas Philibert at the National Gallery of Art and La Maison FranÁaise. Philibertís latest keenly observational documentary covers six months in a one-room mountain village schoolhouse in the Auvergne region. Approaching the end of his career, devoted teacher Georges Lopez is responsible for the education of a dozen students ranging from 4 to 11 years old. He views his mission as more than simply teaching his kids the three Rís: reading, writing and ërithmetic. Beyond the basics, he wants to prepare his pupils for the challenges theyíll face as adults. Activities such as cooking, eating and playing together help the students learn how to get along in everyday life. Rather than applying physical punishments, Lopez discusses problems with the students, demonstrating reason to them. With no added commentary, Philibert wisely lets the actions and words of Lopez and his students speak for themselves. ìTo Be and To Have ( tre et Avoir)î (French with subtitles; 104 min.) is now playing at Visions Cinema/Bistro/Lounge. Repertory Notes A retrospective of idiosyncratic Finnish director Aki Kaurism?ki takes place at the National Gallery of Art. Peter von Bagh, whoís preparing a forthcoming book on Kaurism?ki, will lecture about the auteur on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. ((202) 842-6799, www.nga.gov/programs/film.htm) Iranian Voices, sponsored by the ILEX Foundation, continues at the American Film Institute (AFI) Silver Theatre. Hungarian director Gyorgy Palfiís new film ìHukkleî runs Dec. 5 to 11. ((301) 495-6700, www.afi.com/Silver) Over three Mondays beginning Dec. 1, the Goethe-Forum presents Heinrich Breloerís ìThe MannsóNovel of a Century.î On Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m., it screens selections from Filmfest DresdenóInternational Festival for Animation and Short Films. ((202) 289-1200, www.goethe.de/uk/was/3_2003/enpfilm.htm) Ky N. Nguyen is the film reviewer for The Washington Diplomat.