ARENA (2009) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Joao Salaviza

Written by - Joao Salaviza

Starring - Carloto Cotta, Rodrigo Madeira, Rafael Sardo

"Set in the midst of the Purtuguese ghetto, ARENA is the story of an inmate being held captive in his own neighbourhood through electronic monitoring in a kind of home arrest. The young man in question is a twenty year old tattooist, who is disturbed by a ghetto kid unhappy with the tattoo he made him, who angrily ask for their money back. 

JOAO SALAVIZA's short film is a simple snapshot of everyday life, which whilst being very true to the depiction of its cultural setting and context, also conceals a type of vividness and enthusiasm. This is evident in its precise work of photography, some of which makes use of noteworthy unusual framing, but also the clever balance of drama with amusing comedic moments, neither overplayed and presented with sheer immediacy and a great level of grit. 

SALAVIZA also cast non-actors in his leading role, a daring choice that further shows his aim to retain a type of realism in ARENA. The choice is well rewarded, as not only is the realism true to the depiction of Portuguese ghettos, but also a type of youthful stubbornness, intensified by the widely non-judgemental viewpoint which it uses and by its flirtations with powerful themes of angst and force of humiliation."

Drama, Portugal