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The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story

Original title: The Burning Season
  • TV Movie
  • 1994
  • R
  • 2h 3m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
733
YOUR RATING
The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)
BiographyDrama

Based on the true story of a Brazilian rubber tapper who leads his people in protest against government and developers who want to cut down their part of the rainforest for a new road and ra... Read allBased on the true story of a Brazilian rubber tapper who leads his people in protest against government and developers who want to cut down their part of the rainforest for a new road and ranch land. The rich and the powerful will stop at nothing, and frequently resort to murder.Based on the true story of a Brazilian rubber tapper who leads his people in protest against government and developers who want to cut down their part of the rainforest for a new road and ranch land. The rich and the powerful will stop at nothing, and frequently resort to murder.

  • Director
    • John Frankenheimer
  • Writers
    • Andrew Revkin
    • William Mastrosimone
    • Michael Tolkin
  • Stars
    • Raul Julia
    • Carmen Argenziano
    • Sonia Braga
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    733
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Frankenheimer
    • Writers
      • Andrew Revkin
      • William Mastrosimone
      • Michael Tolkin
    • Stars
      • Raul Julia
      • Carmen Argenziano
      • Sonia Braga
    • 4User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 10 wins & 9 nominations total

    Photos11

    Raul Julia in The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)
    Raul Julia in The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)
    Raul Julia in The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)
    Raul Julia in The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)
    Tomas Milian in The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)
    Raul Julia in The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)
    Kamala Lopez as Ilzamar Mendes in "The Burning Season" directed by John Frankenheimer, starring Raul Julia
    Raul Julia, Sonia Braga, and Edward James Olmos in The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)
    Raul Julia in The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)
    Raul Julia and Sonia Braga in The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Raul Julia
    Raul Julia
    • Chico Mendes
    Carmen Argenziano
    Carmen Argenziano
    • Alfredo Sezero
    Sonia Braga
    Sonia Braga
    • Regina de Carvalho
    Kamala Lopez
    Kamala Lopez
    • Ilzamar
    • (as Kamela Dawson)
    Luis Guzmán
    Luis Guzmán
    • Estate Boss
    Nigel Havers
    Nigel Havers
    • Steven Kaye
    Tomas Milian
    Tomas Milian
    • Darli Alves
    Esai Morales
    Esai Morales
    • Jair
    Edward James Olmos
    Edward James Olmos
    • Wilson Pinheiro
    Tony Plana
    Tony Plana
    • Galvao
    Marco Rodríguez
    Marco Rodríguez
    • Tavora
    Carlos Carrasco
    Carlos Carrasco
    • Helio
    Jonathan Carrasco
    • Genesio
    Jeffrey Licon
    Jeffrey Licon
    • Young Chico Mendes
    José Pérez
    José Pérez
    • Moacir
    Tony Perez
    Tony Perez
    • Francisco Mendes
    Briana Romero
    • Elenia Mendes
    Jorge Viteri
    • Father Ceppi
    • Director
      • John Frankenheimer
    • Writers
      • Andrew Revkin
      • William Mastrosimone
      • Michael Tolkin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      One of Raul Julia's final performances. For his role as Chico Mendes, he earned several posthumous awards (including Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG).
    • Goofs
      After the story's introduction in the 1940's the movie cuts to 1983 where the story develops from then on. However, many parts of the 1983 segment actually happened in 1980 such as Wilson Pinheiro's death.
    • Quotes

      Jair: 10%.

      Chico Mendes: I lost by 10%?

      Jair: No, you only got 10% of the votes. Chico, people are scared. You knew it was gonna be bad.

      Chico Mendes: What the hell are you talking about? You think I can resign myself? To fighting for a lost cause? You think I'm out there every day for the good of my soul? I'm scared too. But I'm fighting because I believe we can win.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1995)

    User reviews4

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Good Earth Day Film
    It's a "true story" but I was left wondering: "Is it "Hollywood true" or "true-true"?" The bad guys are really bad and the good guys are really good.

    Although the environmental issues are addressed and resolved were the economic issues ever resolved? I was left hanging. The issue is: it it possible to have environmental friendliness while being able to build a middle class?

    There's a nude scene that is nice to look at but left me wondering how it was necessary to further the story.

    The film did raise issues to discuss: the company store, liberation theology, the rain forest, non-violent protest and development versus saving the environment.

    It is a good Earth Day film to view and then have a discussion. This is especially true for Americans who are the worst polluters in the world and tend to look to the rain forest instead of in their own backyards.

    The performances are very good. Be prepared to cry.
    helpful•9
    2
    • boltons-1
    • Apr 22, 2005

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 17, 1994 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Mexico
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Berättelsen om Chico Mendez
    • Filming locations
      • Mexico
    • Production company
      • HBO Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 3 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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