Apocalypse in the Tropics

Specific Australian streaming details are not yet confirmed. However, given the director's profile and the film's topical subject, it is highly likely to be acquired by a major streaming platform specialising in documentaries or international cinema following its festival run. Keep an eye on announcements from services like Netflix, which has previously hosted Petra Costa's work, or Stan and DocPlay.

Based on the director's previous work, expect a tone that is both journalistic and deeply atmospheric, blending investigative rigor with a sense of looming societal unease. The title 'Apocalypse in the Tropics' suggests a dramatic, almost prophetic framing of the political crisis. It is likely a character-driven study that uses intimate access to build a narrative of high-stakes political and spiritual conflict.

Absolutely. While focused on Brazil, the themes are globally resonant. It explores the universal tension between secular democracy and religious nationalism, a dynamic visible in many nations. For Australian viewers, it offers a stark, detailed case study in how media-savvy religious movements can reshape politics, providing critical context for understanding similar shifts observed elsewhere in the world.

The documentary centres on Silas Malafaia, one of Brazil's most famous and magnetic televangelists. The film presents him not just as a religious leader but as a political aspirant with significant influence. He is portrayed as having ambitions to act as a 'puppet master' to the far-right leadership, making him a pivotal character in the story of faith's intersection with state power.

Yes, the film's major selling point is its extraordinary access. Petra Costa interviews both the current President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and his predecessor, the far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro. This dual perspective is crucial, allowing the film to explore the evangelical movement's reach across the political spectrum and its role as a potential kingmaker, rather than presenting a one-sided argument.

The documentary is directed by Brazilian filmmaker Petra Costa, known for her intimate and critically acclaimed political documentaries like 'The Edge of Democracy'. Her approach is characterised by gaining remarkable access to high-level subjects, which in this film includes sitting President Lula and former president Jair Bolsonaro. Her perspective provides a nuanced, insider look at complex national crises.

This documentary is a political investigation, not a disaster film. It examines the profound and growing influence of Christian evangelical leaders on Brazilian democracy. Director Petra Costa probes the line where democratic governance may give way to theocratic ambitions, focusing on a powerful televangelist who seeks to manipulate the country's far-right political leadership. The film positions this power struggle as a central, defining conflict for the nation's future.