Netflix Documentary Investigates Brazil’s Transition to Theocracy
Netflix’s latest political documentary, *Apocalypse in the Tropics*, offers a captivating and disturbing examination of how democracy in Brazil was on the verge of collapse when religion and political aspirations became inextricably linked. Directed by Academy Award nominee Petra Costa, the film is set to debut globally on July 14 — and what makes it particularly engaging is its relevance to numerous countries beyond Brazil.
With its striking similarities to U.S. politics, this documentary might leave some Trump supporters feeling uneasy, particularly in its analysis of the emergence of religious populism and its effects on democratic values.
Central to this film is a provocative question intended to challenge audiences about the distinction between democracy and theocracy — and at what point a nation crosses that threshold from one to the other. Costa navigates viewers through a decade-long odyssey of Brazil’s recent political turmoil, illustrating how the country’s escalating evangelical movement influenced and arguably unsettled its democracy.
“This is a fable of our times,” Costa remarks. The narrative she unfolds is as impactful as it is unsettling. *Apocalypse in the Tropics* includes interviews with pivotal figures, such as current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, former president Jair Bolsonaro, and prominent televangelist Silas Malafaia, who many regard as a significant influencer behind Brazil’s religious right.
This documentary seamlessly intertwines the personal and the political, combining firsthand accounts with archival footage to portray a nation in turmoil. The reason Costa’s film currently holds a 94% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes is partly due to its engagement with profound and troubling inquiries regarding faith, authority, and the boundaries of democracy.
Following its debut at significant film festivals including Venice and Telluride, *Apocalypse in the Tropics* was obtained by Netflix and is now poised for a wide release. Costa and her team, including producers from Brad Pitt’s Plan B entertainment, dedicated four years to the development of this project. The outcome is a film that doesn’t merely elucidate the situation in Brazil; it reflects the challenges other nations face amid similar struggles between faith and governance.
In a recent post (from late June), I mentioned that while countless Netflix subscribers gravitate toward popular original series like *Squid Game* and *Wednesday*, my interest lies in the platform’s often-overlooked documentary offerings. Documentaries like *Apocalypse in the Tropics* are precisely what I was referring to. The bottom line: If you seek a documentary that will linger in your thoughts long after the credits have rolled, this is the film to see.
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