This biopicture is about Luis Inacio Lula da Silva (Lula), who grew up in extreme poverty and then became the president of his country. The film was Brazil's submission for Foreign Language Oscar in 2011. Based on the book by Denise Parana, it starts with his birth in 1945, covers his rise to political power, and ends in 1980 when he was jailed by a right-wing government. In 2010 Lula was chosen by Time magazine as one of the "Most Influential People in the World." Here is the story of his formative years and those people and factors which created his character and leadership abilities.
Lula's mother Dona Lindu (Gloria Pires) is abandoned by her abusive and alcoholic husband (Milhem Cortaz) after he commits adultery with a young woman. When Lula is born, he already has six siblings who barely have enough to eat in the desert-like backlands of Brazil. But his mother is a pillar of strength, unconditional love, and a true believer that the best in her favorite son would eventually come out and shine.
When the family moves back in with Lindu's husband, he is more angry than ever and spends most of his days in a drunken stupor. He takes out his wrath on Lula who is ordered to work rather than study or play soccer. Lindu moves them again, although the future is unknown, teacher sees a bright future for Lula and wants to adopt him but Lindu refuses. She is immensely proud when he graduates from technical school in 1963 and lands a job in a factory. The young man's (Rui Ricardo Diaz) resiliency is tested when a tragedy overtakes him and he caves into depression. His mother is there once again to lift his spirits and back his decision to become more active in the union.
Director Fabrio Barreto does a fine job orchestrating the deep, tender, and mutually rejuvenating relationship between Lula and his mother. It operates as a force field for his creativity and passion for justice which makes him into such a charismatic union leader. Although Diaz is impressive as Lula, this biopicture's heart and soul reside in the stirring performance of Gloria Pires as the woman who spurred her son on to achieve even more than she could ever have imagined, even in her wildest dreams.
