A short movie about how relationships go in cycles, shot in Rio de Janeiro in Portuguese starring Juliana Boller, Fernando Dolabella, and Fernanda Neder.
Written, Directed and Produced by Stone Korshak
2009 copyright

The cast and crew were all professional and fun, and we got almost all the shots we wanted from the day. We’re still editing and hope to have a rough cut by the end of the month. Here are some photos from the set and the wrap party.

6:30AM we start to set up

Juliana Boller as Isabel in the blue week

Fernando Dolabella as Leo

Fernando, Juliana and Fernanda Neder as The Waitress in between takes

Luiza Moscoso, Co-Producer and Assistant Director

Luiza, me, Isis Medala (Art Director), and Yolanda Barroso (Production Coordinator, 2nd AD) at the wrap party

Luiza, me, Isis, Yolanda and Eugenio Carvalho at the wrap party

Armando Millem (Lapa Irish Pub owner), Luiza, me, Isis and Yolanda

Fernanda, Yolanda, Isis, Luiza, and Fernando at the wrap party

This one is different then my last short movies though, first off - it’s in Portuguese. We took a script I had been trying to make for a few years in NY and adapted it to take place in Rio. This meant a change in setting and dialogue, not just a straight translation.

This is also different because of the level of talented cast and crew we’ve pulled together. Juliana Boller, Fernando Dolabella, and Fernanda Neder are all accomplished actors and we’re lucky to have them. Co-Producer and Assistant Director, Luiza Moscoso has brought so much to the project, including Director of Photography, Julio Costantini who has a great resume and just finished film school in Cuba.

So Sunday, May 31st we shoot all day at The Irish Pub in Lapa, if you want to be an Extra come by at 7:30AM… I’ll be there at 6, cafe and smokes in hand… sempre o mesos.

I’ve also started a small English language local Rio news company here - The Gringo Times - which has been fun and rewarding. Not sure if it’ll be financially successful, but it keeps my mind moving and hopefully it will help me spend more time here, ’cause i like it.

Well enough about me, I’ll run to take a run on the praia agora.

Brazil Run - feature screenplay by Stone Korshak

                                                               FADE IN:

               EXT. RIO BEACH (DRIVING POV) - DAY - MAIN TITLES

               A collage of bright colored tiny bikinis on beautiful bodies
               passes slowly.

               The long Rio beach is spotted with palm trees and drink
               stands.

               The car stereo starts to PLAY Credence Clearwater Revival:
               "Run Through the Jungle".

               EXT. RIO CENTRO (DRIVING POV) - CONTINUOUS - TITLES CONTINUE

               The streets are crowded, dirty, and shaded by tall buildings.
               Buses pile on each other, moving inefficiently along the
               roadways congested with small non-American cars.

               EXT. RIO SHIPYARD (DRIVING POV) - CONTINUOUS - TITLES
               CONTINUE

               The raised highway runs along an endless shipyard with
               gigantic metal cranes stretching into the bright horizon.

               EXT. RIO FAVELA (DRIVING POV) - CONTINUOUS - TITLES CONTINUE

               The hills lining the highway are carpeted with the Favela
               slums, ramshackle homes of mismatched brick and unfinished
               levels stack on top of each other.

               EXT. RIO SUBURBS (DRIVING POV) - CONTINUOUS - TITLES CONTINUE

               The green fields open up along the highway, interrupted by
               polluted rivers, billboards and color-coordinated apartment
               buildings.

               TITLES END

               EXT. RIO AIRPORT - CONTINUOUS

               The sprawling airport compound is alive with vehicles coming
               and going.

               TITLE: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

               The international fleet of planes line the horizon, distorted
               in the polluted, blistering haze.

               EXT. AIRPORT DEPARTURE DROP-OFF AREA - DAY

               SMITTY, a gringo pushing 40, unshaven, messy with a deep tan,
               steps out of a taxi smoking a cigarette in sunglasses,
               wearing a wrinkled white button-down shirt and jeans.

               He's calm in the chaos of endless cars HONKING and stuttering
               around him.

               The sign above (in Portuguese): International Departures

               Oppressive heat weighs on groups of travelers, unloading
               oversize luggage and the extra boxes required for
               international trips.

               He finishes his cigarette while the driver dumps his two worn
               suitcases on the curb.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Thanks.

               He pays the driver, picks up his bags and enters.

               INT. AIRPORT ATRIUM - DAY

               The airport INTERCOM is steadily providing flight information
               from overhead in Portuguese then English.

               Smitty waits while his cell phone RINGS, with his luggage
               between his legs.  Through his sunglasses he watches the
               people buzzing around him.

               Large wealthy families, business men, aspiring models,
               exchange students and sunburnt-gringo-backpackers fill the
               airport mezzanine.

               The phone is answered.

                                   GINA'S VOICE
                             (through the phone - in
                              English)
                         Hello?

                                   SMITTY
                             (in English)
                         Hey, I'm at the airport.

                                   GINA'S VOICE
                         Good. Everything okay?

                                   SMITTY
                         Yeah, fine.

               INT. HOME IN NEW JERSEY - DAY - INTERCUT AS DESIRED

               Gina, looks great at 36, with olive skin and thick wavy dark
               hair.  She sits on a burgundy leather couch in a spacious
               living room, watching TV.

                                   GINA
                         What time do you get in?

                                   SMITTY
                             (disappointed)
                         Six Gina, same as always.
                             (pause)
                         Guess I'll get a cab.

                                   GINA
                             (annoyed)
                         The kids have to get to school
                         early, remember the band recital.

                                   SMITTY
                             (long sigh)
                         Sure.
                             (pause)
                         What the fuck.

                                   GINA
                         Michael.

                                   SMITTY
                         What the fuck Gina? Really?

                                   GINA
                         Okay. I'll get Angie to come over.
                         I'll be there by seven, we can
                         talk, I'm sorry.
                             (pause)
                         Michael?

               Smitty shakes his head, and then notices a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
               walking by slowly, smiling at him.

                                   SMITTY
                         Don't worry about it, I'll get a
                         cab. See you in the morning. Give
                         the kids my love.

               INT. AIRPORT CHECK-IN LINE - DAY

               As Smitty steps into the long line, he notices the same
               Beautiful Woman enter directly behind him.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Hi, good afternoon.

                                   BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Good afternoon.

               She smiles flirtatiously, but offers nothing more.  He
               notices she is only carrying her hand bag.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in English)
                         Traveling light?

               She only smiles.

               Smitty turns to see two uniformed AIRPORT POLICE approach
               him, tense and grim.

                                   AIRPORT POLICE 1
                             (in English)
                         Name and destination sir?

                                   SMITTY
                         Mike Smith.
                             (pause)
                         Newark, New Jersey... New York.

                                   AIRPORT POLICE 1
                         Come with us please.

               Smitty looks around, catches the eye of several Security
               Personnel in the immediate area, and the Beautiful Woman
               walks away. 

                                   SMITTY
                         What's the problem?

               The Police become rigid and glare in silent warning, raising
               an arm to indicate the way.

                                   AIRPORT POLICE 1
                         This way, sir.

               INT. AIRPORT HALLWAY - DAY

               Smitty looks back over his shoulder with an Officer on either
               side of him, each carrying one of his bags.

               They move down a long institutional hallway with flickering
               overhead lights and no windows. 

               INT. AIRPORT INTERGATION ROOM - DAY

               Smitty sits in the windowless room while the Officers tear
               through his luggage on the table in front of him.  

               He starts to stand but one of them points forcefully.

                                   AIRPORT POLICE 1
                             (in English)
                         Sit.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in English)
                         What's going on? Am I gonna miss my
                         flight?

               Neither acknowledge the question.

               One of them pulls out a large package wrapped in newspaper.
               After opening it, he holds up two Pandeiro Tambourines.  

               Smitty smiles wryly, holding his hands up in mock disbelief.

                                   SMITTY (CONT'D)
                         Gifts, for the kids.

               After pulling everything out of his bags, they leave the room
               frustrated.

                                   AIRPORT POLICE 1
                         Wait here.

                                   SMITTY
                         Sure, no problem.
                             (pause)
                         Thanks.

               INT. AIRPORT INTERGATION ROOM - LATER

               Smitty is fidgeting in his chair and rubbing the stubble on
               his chin anxiously. 

               He holds his cell phone in the air to no avail, so he pockets
               it again. The overhead light HUMS and flickers.

               The door opens suddenly and two POLICE OFFICERS in
               paramilitary uniforms enter. 

               One is large and heavy with lighter skin and a pencil thin
               moustache.  The other officer is darker, handsome with
               piercing blue eyes, slender but built.  

               They both stand in front of Smitty, looking at him for a
               moment.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in English)
                         What the hell's going on?
                             (pause)
                         I missed my flight.
                             (pause)
                         Who's paying for that?

               LIEUTENANT HECTOR ALVARO, the heavier one, sneers while
               smoothing his mustache, and eyes him playfully.

                                   ALVARO
                             (in Portuguese)
                         You speak Portuguese.

               OFFICER MARCOS NEVES, approaches with a self-assured smile,
               and sits on the corner of the table.

                                   NEVES
                             (in English)
                         If you speak in Portuguese, our
                         English is so-so.

               Smitty stands up and POUNDS the table.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in English)
                         I could give a shit! I've been here
                         for two hours. What's the fuckin'
                         problem!?

               Alvaro moves fast for a big man.  He grabs Smitty's head and
               throws it backwards, his body follows, THUMPING into the
               wall, then staggers.

               Alvaro catches him and puts him back in the chair. Neves
               hasn't moved and Smitty rubs his head.

                                   NEVES
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Do you speak Portuguese now?

                                   SMITTY
                             (in Portuguese)
                         A little.

               There is a moment of silence as everyone in the room takes in
               the situation.

                                   NEVES
                         Your name is Michael Smith?

                                   SMITTY
                         Yeah.

                                   NEVES
                         We think you are smuggling drugs.

                                   SMITTY
                         No.

                                   ALVARO
                         We know you are smuggling drugs.

                                   SMITTY
                         NO, no drugs!
                             (pause - in English)
                         You know who I am?

                                   ALVARO
                             (slowly - in Portuguese)
                         Big American business man, comes
                         down here to fuck whores and get
                         cheap cocaine to bring back to his
                         stupid cunt wife.

               Smitty looks at him for a moment in confusion.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in English)
                         Fuck you.

               Alvaro grabs for him again but this time Smitty is ready. He
               stands and ducks out of the way, tripping Alvaro so he
               stumbles.

               Neves grabs Smitty from behind, putting his arm around his
               neck in a choke hold, pulling him back against the wall.

               Alvaro is on him in a flash, PUNCHING his gut, again and
               again, and then kneeing him in the groin.  

               Smitty falls to the ground in fettle position. Alvaro STOMPS
               on his head, then the next time Smitty blacks out.

                                                               FADE IN:

               INT. AIRPORT INTERGATION ROOM - LATER

               Smitty is bruised and bloody, laying on the ground. He opens
               his eyes to VOICES.

               Alvaro is sitting on a chair enjoying a cigarette, while
               Neves is tearing out the liner of his bags.

                                   NEVES
                             (in Portuguese)
                         There must be something.

               Smitty sits up in the corner, not attempting to get off the
               floor.

               Alvaro gives him a wink and snarls a kiss.

               Neves walks over to Smitty and roughly reaching for his
               pocket, pulls out some papers, and a distinct black Passport.

                                   NEVES (CONT'D)
                         What's this?

               Neves looks at the Passport with Diplomatic written across
               the front, and his eyes narrow, his mouth tightens. Then he
               hands it to Alvaro, who lowers his head in a GRUNT.

                                   ALVARO
                             (in Portuguese)
                         A diplomate.

                                   NEVES
                         What now?

               Alvaro tosses the Passport back to Neves with a grim shrug.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in Portuguese)
                         It's no problem.
                             (in English)
                         Just let me on the plane, please.

               Alvaro and Neves look at each other, Neves gives a nod of
               agreement, and Alvaro takes out his pistol.

               Smitty stands, hands up.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in Portuguese)
                         It's no problem!

               Neves turns away, puts the Passport into his pocket, and
               starts throwing the clothes into the torn up luggage.

                                   SMITTY (CONT'D)
                         You can't do this, not here.

               Alvaro smiles, screws on a silencer, and raises the pistol
               slowly at Smitty.

                                   SMITTY (CONT'D)
                         Please, nobody needs know.
                             (pause)
                         I have money!

                                   ALVARO
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Now he speaks Portuguese.

               CLICK, the gun jams.

                                   ALVARO (CONT'D)
                         Shit.

               Neves looks over his shoulder, in teasing reproach.

               Smitty is watching in stunned disbelief.

               Alvaro aims and tries again, CLICK, the gun is still jammed.

               Smitty snaps out of it, picks up the chair and throws is at
               Alvaro, who waves it away TUMBLING to the floor.  

               Then Smitty steps forward and PUNCHES Alvaro hard and square
               in the chin, his knees buckle and he stumbles back and slides
               against the wall.

               Neves goes for his pistol but Smitty reaches him too fast.  

               They struggle and Smitty fluidly pulls his head down into a
               front head-lock, then KNEES him in the face, AGAIN and the
               AGAIN.

               Neves crumbles in a WHIMPER with blood covering his face and
               shirt.

               Alvaro is getting up unsteadily with wet eyes.

               Smitty runs out the door.

               INT. AIRPORT HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

               Smitty sprints down the hall. Twenty meters behind, Alvaro
               SLAMS the door open in chase.

               INT. AIRPORT ATRIUM - CONTINUOUS

               Smitty charges out of the hallway doors into the large open
               atrium bustling with people.

               Smitty runs full speed, weaving through the crowd towards the
               escalator going down. 

               As he is midway across the floor, Alvaro CRASHES out of the
               hallway doors.

                                   ALVARO
                             (in Portuguese)
                         POLICE, FREEZE, STOP HIM!

               An AIRPORT POLICEMAN moves from a corner of the room to cut
               Smitty off.

               They collide against the balcony railing, Smitty side-steps
               and using the Policeman's momentum, tosses him over the edge.

               The Policeman manages to hold onto the railing, and silently
               dangles three-stories above the ground floor.

               Smitty looks down into the Policeman's eyes for a moment,
               then hears Alvaro.

                                   ALVARO
                         STOP HIM!

               Alvaro is charging across the atrium floor, pushing people
               out of his way, knocking some to the floor.

                                   ALVARO
                         GET OUT'A MY WAY!

               Behind him Neves emerges from the hallway, hand over his
               bleeding nose.

               Smitty dashes down the escalator, sliding through the
               startled spectators. 

               The dangling Policeman falls SCREAMING behind Smitty, and
               CRASHES down into a restaurant seating area.

               Smitty reaches the bottom of the escalator and runs full
               speed for the exit.

               Alvaro is half-way down the escalator.  Neves is at the top
               looking over the edge at the fallen Officer. Airport Police
               are converging into the lobby, confused.  

                                   ALVARO
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Get the gringo!
                             (screaming)
                         MOVE!

               EXT. AIRPORT ARRIVAL PICK-UP AREA - CONTINUOUS

               Smitty runs out the door, and a herd of Taxi Drivers convene
               on him, offering their service.

               He rushes through the crowd and moves to the taxi cab at the
               front of the line. Sliding over the hood he lands by the
               driver-side door.

               The TAXI DRIVER is pissed and gets out.

                                   AIRPORT TAXI DRIVER
                             (in Portuguese)
                         What the fuck!

               The scrum of Police pile through the exit and collide into
               the Taxi Drivers. Alvaro viciously punches people out of his
               way.

                                   ALVARO
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Get the FUCK OUT'A MY WAY!

               Smitty and the Taxi Driver look in each other's eyes.

                                   AIRPORT TAXI DRIVER
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Not my taxi.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in English)
                         Sorry.

               Smitty shoves him out of the way, jumps in the taxi and
               starts to RACE off.

               INT. AIRPORT TAXI - CONTINUOUS

               The Taxi Driver reaches into the window and is being dragged
               as Smitty drives.

                                   AIRPORT TAXI DRIVER
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Not my taxi!

               Smitty elbows him in the face and he tumbles away.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Sorry.

               EXT. AIRPORT - CONTINUOUS

               The taxi SPEEDS out of the Arrival Area.  

               Alvaro moves to another taxi but all the drivers are
               resisting.  He raises his gun and FIRES into the air, sending
               everyone sprawling away.

               Neves exits the building on his walkie-talkie.  

               Several police vehicles pull up and Officers pile in, then
               race away with sirens BLAZING.

               INT. AIRPORT TAXI - CONTINUOUS

               Smitty is driving with his full attention, passing cars as
               fast as possible. 

               He takes out his cell phone but can't manage to dial and
               drive.

               EXT. HIGHWAY OUTSIDE RIO - CONTINUOUS

               Smitty's taxi is weaving in and out of cars as it heads back
               into Rio.

               a kilometer behind him are a dozen police vehicles with
               sirens FLASHING.

               There is an exit ramp just ahead of him.

               INT. AIRPORT TAXI (DRIVER POV) - CONTINUOUS

               Smitty looks in his rearview mirrors and sees a mass of
               FLASHING sirens in the distance.

               He sees the exit ramp, and goes for it.

               EXT. EXIT RAMP - CONTINUOUS

               Smitty's taxi SLOWS to turn off the exit ramp, and continues
               to weave through traffic.  The taxi takes a sharp turn into a
               shaded neighborhood.

               INT. AIRPORT TAXI - CONTINUOUS

               Smitty SPEEDS along littered streets, lined with concrete
               huts and makeshift aluminum shelters.  

               A malnourished horse grazes on the garbage speckled grass
               along the road.

               He turns into another side street and then stops.

               EXT. CITY SIDE STREET - CONTINUOUS

               Smitty gets out and looks around the repressed neighborhood.

               He holds up the car keys for all to see, then tosses them
               onto the front seat.  

               The people on the street watch without reaction.  

               Then Smitty turns and runs.

               EXT. CROWDED CITY STREET - DAY

               Smitty rounds the corner into a crowded street and forces
               himself to slow down.

               He picks some sunglasses from a street vender and pays her.

                                   SMITTY
                             (in Portuguese)
                         Thanks.

               He covers his swollen and bruised eyes with the big glasses,
               then looks at her for approval.

                                   SMITTY (CONT'D)
                         Good?

               She looks at his torn and bloody shirt, and shakes her head
               frowning.  

               He takes it off and tosses it to her, then heads along the
               street, blending in with other shirtless people, although a
               bit lighter skin.

               INT. STREET CAFE - DAY

               Smitty ducks into a small street cafe filled with locals who
               observe him with disinterest.

               He moves to the corner and pulls out the cell phone.

               INT. EMBASSY OFFICE - DAY

               A small office is packed, file boxes cover the floor and the
               walls are decorated with framed photographs of politicians.  

               On old office furniture rests an antiquated computer and a
               name plate: David Cheeney, Economic Director, U.S. Consulate.

                                   DAVID
                             (quietly - in English)
                         Oh yeah, how you doin?

               DAVID, in his early thirties is small and bald with an ill
               fitting suit and thick glasses.  

               He is looking at pornography on his small computer when the
               phone RINGS. He quickly closes the browser window and picks
               up the phone.

                                   DAVID (CONT'D)
                         David Cheeney.

                                   SMITTY'S VOICE
                             (through the phone - in
                              English)
                         Hey, it's Smitty.

                                   DAVID
                         Hey bro, aren't you flying home
                         today.

               INT. STREET CAFE - DAY - INTERCUT AS DESIRED

               Smitty turns toward the wall and lights a cigarette
               nervously, then speaks with hushed urgency.

                                   SMITTY
                         I'm in deep shit.

                                   DAVID
                         What'd you do?

                                   SMITTY
                         Got stopped at the airport, some
                         cops kicked the shit out of me.

                                   DAVID
                         Ya right.

                                   SMITTY
                         I had to fight my way out.

                                   DAVID
                         Put them in the guillotine?

                                   SMITTY
                         Do I sound like I'm fuckin joking?!

               Long pause.

                                   DAVID
                         They find drugs?

                                   SMITTY
                         Course not. But they tore through
                         everything, then brought in the
                         pychos.

                                   DAVID
                         Didn't they know who you are?

                                   SMITTY
                         When they found out, they were
                         gonna shoot me.

                                   DAVID
                             (pause)
                         Jesus... Where are you?

                                   SMITTY
                         I'm in Centro. I'm gonna swing by
                         Margarita's place. Should be at the
                         office in an hour.