Review of The Documentary “God Knows Everything But Is No Snitch”
“Favela being an exported product or a game is art”
Celso Machado
October 3, 2008
Who would every say that a bit of earth, toy cars, and pieces of Lego could be transformed in to a work of art as interesting and institutionalized as the Morrinho showing – “God Knows Everything, But Is Not A Snitch” (2008). The documentary film by Fábio Gavião and Markão Oliveira tell the fun history of Morrinho, which is what a lot of people call a model (or an installation depending on which of the various events it has been exhibited), but in actuality it is a huge game constructed in 2001 by eight boys from the favela Pereira da Silva (or Pereirão for those who know it well). Morrinho reproduces their own community with bricks broken in half to look like shacks, and pieces of Lego to represent the community residents. In 2001, the “game” starting gaining fame and made a huge leap in the international exhibition circuit when it was present at the 52nd Biennial of Venice in 2007 (which was a reproduction made by the creators of the original Morrinho – as it must be clearly states, the original artwork is never moved). Along the passing of years, Morrinho has grown as its creators have grown up. It has been influenced by the various changes and influences that its creators have also experienced.
Not a single way that I could describe here would give a semblance to the true visual impact that Morrinho causes. It is obvious that what I write in not a perfect reproduction, but I am to capture the essence of not only of Pereirão, but of all of the favelas – and film works toward this goal. The lack of inhibition of the guys involved in the project is also important in creating a light and unpretentious environment that makes it easy to talk about serious issues (such as drug trafficking, social exclusion, conflicts between different favelas, and basically all of the violence involved in favela life) creates a film with a strong message. Everything is possible at Morrinho – dances, police invasion, demonstration – everything is presented in a simple manner with this method of communication and representation. And the result is surprising. Merely with painted bricks and Lego, situation such as baile funk and the representation of a protest among residents with the closing of a bridge and direct confrontation with the police.
Another huge merit of the film is that it does not treat favela life as it should not be addressed. The film does not make assumptions about the problems of those that live in the favela, nor does it make any value judgments. The film gives its viewer direct access to what the residents of Pereirão really think and how their world works. In this way, through Lego toys, we see a carefree description of what happens to those who don’t “walk the line”, or how some problems are resolves within the community. Cest la vie.
The recordings of the group’s trip (the eight boys and the directors of the film the make up the NGO Morrinho) are extremely fun, yet inspiring, thanks to the spontaneity of the boys. On this trip, it was possible to see the reaction that Italians, French and Spanish had toward Morrinho’s work (which was a completely different reaction to what we Brazilians have). And it was also possible to understand the relationship of the boys themselves with their work.
In their own original path, Morrinho – “God Knows Everything But Is No Snitch” deals with disenfranchised communities like so many other documentaries, but it does not give a view from above looking down on favela life. In addition, the film does not try to push the artistic of sociological theories. It addresses Morrinho as it is in its essence: a child’s game – and maybe it is for this reason that it is such and interesting piece of work.
Premier Showing in Brazil – Long Documentary Film
“Morrinho - God Knows Everything But Is No Snitch”
Brazil, 2008. 85 minutes.
Directors: Fábião Gavião and Markão Oliveira