Question 1

Why was Captain Nascimento originally not the main character in Elite Squad?

Accepted Answer

The film was initially meant to focus on Neto and Matias, but after shooting, director José Padilha and writer Bráulio Mantovani were so impressed with Wagner Moura's charisma that they edited it with his voiceover, making Nascimento the protagonist.

Question 2

Which real-life former BOPE members inspired characters in Elite Squad?

Accepted Answer

André Matias was based on screenwriter André Batista, and Captain Nascimento was based on screenwriter Rodrigo Pimentel, both former BOPE squad members.

Question 3

How did André Ramiro land his role in Elite Squad despite no acting experience?

Accepted Answer

A friend suggested his name for casting; the friend didn't get a part, but Ramiro was cast and played a major role, even with no prior acting experience.

Question 4

What unusual distribution issue occurred before Elite Squad's official release?

Accepted Answer

Illegal copies of the '3rd cut' flooded Brazilian streets for about $5 each, stolen from a subtitle company; an estimated 3 million people watched the bootleg, more than the theatrical audience.

Question 5

What real-life crime happened during the filming of Elite Squad?

Accepted Answer

A van with 90 firearms (30 real, 60 prop guns) was robbed in Chapéu Mangueira hill; police stormed a favela to recover them, but the operation was only partially successful.

Question 6

How did a last-minute editing decision change the main character of Elite Squad?

Accepted Answer

After shooting, director José Padilha and writer Bráulio Mantovani were so impressed with Wagner Moura's charisma that they added his voiceover and made Capitão Nascimento the main character instead of Neto and Matias.

Question 7

Which real-life former BOPE members inspired characters in Elite Squad?

Accepted Answer

André Matias was based on screenwriter André Batista, and Capitão Nascimento was based on screenwriter Rodrigo Pimentel, both former BOPE squad members.

Question 8

What unusual pre-release phenomenon made Elite Squad a best-seller before its official debut?

Accepted Answer

An illegal copy of the "3rd cut" was stolen from the subtitling company and sold on Brazilian streets for $5, reaching at least 3 million viewers—600,000 more than the theatrical run.

Question 9

What dangerous incident occurred during filming involving police weapons?

Accepted Answer

A van with 90 firearms (30 real, 60 props) was robbed in Chapéu Mangueira hill, leading to a police raid on Favela Pavão-Pavãozinho that only partially recovered them.

Question 10

Which major international festival featured Elite Squad in 2008?

Accepted Answer

The film was an official selection at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2008.

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Elite Squad

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