Mamonas on the big screen
This documentary tells the story of the five young musicians from Guarulhos who died together in a plane crash in 1996.
247, with information from news agencies – It doesn't seem like it, but 15 years have already passed since one of Brazil's most irreverent bands left us, leaving the country a little more serious and dull. Just a few months after their rise to fame and becoming one of the most popular bands in the country, the lives of Dinho, Samuel, Sérgio, Júlio, and Bento ended in a tragic accident in the Serra da Cantareira, in São Paulo, on March 2, 1996.
The story of fun and talent of these guys is well known to the Brazilian public, but now it can be seen on the big screen. The documentary Mamonas pra sempre (Europa Filmes), scheduled to hit theaters on June 10, retraces the path that led the band Utopia, born in Parque Cecap, in Guarulhos, metropolitan region of São Paulo, to become Mamonas Assassinas.
Director Cláudio Kahns had access to a vast amount of material provided by the musicians' families. It includes footage from their first shows, backstage antics, and the trip to Los Angeles to mix their first album. A little bit of everything that was recorded by the boys themselves.
The film also features a spicy testimony from music producer Rick Bonadio – creator of successful bands (Fresno, NxZero, CPM22, Bro'z) and the one who gave Manonas their first chance. Currently a judge on the show Ídolos, on Rede Record, Rick disputes some information from family and friends, such as the claim that there were no fights between the group members. Furthermore, he doesn't mince words when defining each member's personality. "Bento was the best musician in the band. He led the arrangements," he says, referring to the Japanese guitarist. "Sérgio was immature, he picked fights over everything," he declares.
The band's first performance at the Pascoal Thomeu gymnasium in Guarulhos is one of the film's highlights. In a heartfelt moment, lead singer Dinho recalls when, years earlier, he was prevented from playing with the band at the venue because they weren't well-known. "Never give up on your dreams," Dinho says, amidst a string of profanities.
Following the documentary, an overdose of Mamonas is on the way. In addition to the film, a sticker album and a magazine about the group are planned for release. Director Cláudio Kahns also plans to make a fictional film and a TV miniseries with the material he collected.
Meanwhile, starting in June, Brazilians will be able to relive some of the nostalgia for the guys who sang nonsense like no one else and who had hits like Robocop Gay, Vira, Pelados em Santos and Jumento Celestino.
Watch clips from Mamonas Forever: