The famous Brazilian producer Cecílio B. De Milho (Renato Restier) wants to produce an epic about Helen of Troy. He hires the great professor of Greek history Xenofontes (Oscarito) to write the screenplay, but his family and crew wants to make a Brazilian musical comedy.
"Carnaval Atlântida" is a delightful "chanchada", one of the best Brazilian movies ever. The story has many levels, and the easiest one is the popular musical comedy for the common people. In order to understand this very critical movie in a deeper level, the viewer must be familiarized with Brazilian history. First, Brazil lived a dictatorship period between 1930 and 1945, and the next president was a man that open the country to importations in general, including of culture. In the historical moment of "Carnaval Atlântida", there were two great studios in Brazil: Vera Cruz that aimed to produce national movies with international language for international distribution; and Atlântida, that the defended the nationalist principle of a Brazilian popular national cinema. "Carnaval Atlântida" is technically an excellent movie, with a great story, excellent edition of scenes shot in locations and studio, and very, but very funny. There are excellent jokes, beginning with the name of the producer Cecílio B. De Milho (translation: Cecil B. of Corn), joking with the great Cecil B. De Mille; the foreigner Conde Verdura ("Count Lettuce") is out of context of the national cinema industry and is an impostor con-man. All the characters want to make a movie about "samba" (the most popular Brazilian song and dance). There are many messages in the underlines of the screenplay, but I believe that even a foreigner will appreciate this film. My vote is ten.
Title (Brazil: "Carnaval Atlântida" ("Atlântida Carnival")
