Brazil
Teaching Resources
Speaker Christopher Welna’s Presentation
Websites
Brazilian Economy
Overview of the Brazilian economy.
http://www.photius.com/wfb1999/brazil/brazil_economy.html
Overview of Brazil
Basic information about Brazilian culture, history, government, etc.
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~sergiok/brasil/brecon2.html#ECnews
Brazilian Economy
Detailed information and links about Brazil’s economy and finances.
http://www.brazilink.org/economy.asp
Chico Mendes and the Amazon
Resources for teaching about the Amazon and Chico Mendes of Brazil.
http://www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/teacher_chico.html
Latinworld.com
General information about Brazil with links related to the economy.
http://www.latinworld.com/sur/brasil/index.html
Lonely Planet
Brazil at a glance.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/south-america/brazil
V-Brazil
Links to information about the Brazilian economy.
http://www.v-brazil.com/business/economy.html
Books
Morrison, Marion. Brazil. Silver Burdett (GIN), 1988. 46 p. ISBN 0-382-09516-2
Offers a brief introduction to the geography, history, people, culture and industries of Brazil. Includes numerous color photos, illustrations and maps. Provides several "key facts" sections. One drawback is that the measurements are imperial. Includes a table of contents and an index.
Sherwood, Rhoda, ed. Brazil. Gareth Stevens (SBC), 1988. 64 p. ISBN 1-55532-221-2
The first section presents the life of Andre and Camille who live with their wealthy parents outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Describes their schools, home, market, leisure activities and the famous "Carnival" that everyone in Brazil celebrates in late February.
The second "For Your Information" section touches on Brazil's history, people, language, education, climate, etc. Includes color photos and maps and a few activities. Provides a table of contents, a glossary of Brazilian terms and an index.
Brazil (Wall Chart). (Country Profiles Series). Media-Sphere (CIDA), 1990. 76 cm by 65 cm.
This large poster-brochure opens up to display in an attractive and informative fashion a historical, physical, economic, cultural and social picture of Brazil. Order forms for this and other free material are available from CIDA. Bilingual.
Dawood, Ishie. Brazil, Land of Contrasts. Reidmore Books (REI), 1989. 112 p. ISBN 0-919091-82-2
Written largely from the author's personal experiences, this book provides much information about Brazil. Covers the history, climate, topography, geographical regions, people, transportation and natural resources of this vast nation. Includes color maps and photos. Each of the ten chapters concludes with a summary and question and activity sections. Provides a table of contents, a glossary, an index and a pronunciation guide. Suitable for advanced readers and as a teacher reference.
Films
Brazilian Films
http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/subjects/brazil.html
City of God (2002)
Directed by Fernando Meirelles, Kãtia Lund
Cidade de Deus (City of God) is a housing project built in the 1960s that--in the early 80s--became one of the most dangerous places in Rio de Janeiro. The tale tells the stories of many characters whose lives sometimes intersect. However, all is seen through the eyes of a singular narrator: Busca-Pé, a poor black youth too frail and scared to become an outlaw but also too smart to be content with underpaid, menial jobs. He grows up in a very violent environment. The odds are all against him. But Busca-Pé soon discovers that he can see reality differently than others. His redemption is that he's been given an artist's point of view as a keen-eyed photographer. As Busca-Pé is not the real protagonist of the film--only the narrator--he is not the one who makes the decisions that will determine the sequence of events. Nevertheless, not only is his life attached to what happens in the story, but it is also through Busca-Pé's perspective of life that one can understand the complicated layers and humanity of a world, apparently condemned to endless violence. (Not recommended for audiences under 18.)
Central Station (1998)
Directed by Walter Salles
An emotive journey of a former school teacher, who write letters for illiterate people at Rio de Janeiro's central station, Central do Brasil; and a young boy, whose mother has just died in a car accident, to Brazil's remote Northeast, in search for the father he never knew.
Foreign Land (1995)
Directed by Walter Salles
After the death of his mother, a young Brazilian decides to leave his country and travel to his mother’s native land, that she used to dream of as a Spanish immigrant. In a foreign land, he finds love and danger as he meets a Brazilian waitress and takes smuggled goods with him in order to pay for his travel.
Four Days in September (1998)
Directed by Bruno Barreto
Fernando, a journalist, and his friend Cãesar join terrorist group MR8 in order to fight Brazilian dictatorial regime during the late sixties. Cãesar, however, is wounded and captured during a bank hold up. Fernando then decides to kidnap the American ambassador in Brazil and ask for the release of fifteen political prisoners in exchange for his life.
Me You Them (2000)
Directed by Andrucha Waddington
Based on a true story, Me, You, Them comically depicts the relationship between an ordinary woman and her three husbands, who live together at the same house in a poor and arid small village of the Brazilian Northeast.
