Neon Bull

HenriqueA

I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed such a plotless film devoid of any conflict. At the same time as it is a borderline fetishist view of northeast Brazil it also presents us to an amazingly lived in universe where the actors (some of which are fancy soap opera stars) lose themselves completely in their roles. And while it is nothing new and it gives itself to some major arthouse clichés, it does them the right way.

Daniel Roque

It's a contemplative and sensual movie about fluorescent bulls, horse dicks and animal version of "Toddlers & Tiaras". It's a visual metaphor between man and animal, that sadly lacks a solid plot to support it.

Rafael Zen

To me, this is as sexy as dull. Neon Bull builds an atmosphere of opposites: the rodeo worker that longs to be a fashion designer, the tough woman handling all the tools, the hair-caring stud: but what does it really say? In a film where its aesthetics screams louder than the will to tell stories, what are we really watching? Mascaro screens bodies with dionysian lust, but these bodies lack storytelling - or soul.

josé neves

So this is "the next big thing"? A monotonous fictionalization of a socio-geographical universe, with the recurrence of a fiction full of style-figures and representative spaces and a lazy camera to "make" contemplation, with slow travelings and steady shots that only reveals its own impasse. The mandatory (final) sex scene it's so silly in its programmatic exhibition that reveals itself negligible.

msmichel

FNC '15 After the fine debut last year with 'August Winds' Mascaro grows as a filmmaker in leaps and bounds with this sensual, rich and fascinating film immersing us in the world of the vaquejada (bull wrestling). Reviews have centered on the film's overt sexuality while they should be focused on the authenticity in story and performance. Shot by Diego Garcia the film's visual style is impressive and overwhelming.

Material Salva+ion

Neon Bull is one of the most exciting films in recent years! With a simple plot, it finds its strength in observing the characters lives, their contradictions, unexpected aspirations and ordinary rituals sublimated and wrapped in surreal contours...Wild, tender, gender bending and strangely titillating, the greatness of the film lies in its inherent poetic symbolism - Man vs Beast, destiny vs desire. Sublime!

Jorge Mourinha

Rites of spring. http://theflickeringwall.blogspot.pt/2016/04/bumba-meu-boi-indielisboa-2016-4.html

Carlos Filipe Freitas

Mr. Mascaro, with his very personal vision, didn’t take the bull by the tail but rather by the horns.