Despite a cover that promises a wild ride through Carnival in Brazil and performances by Gilberto Gil and Milton Nascimento (whose name is misspelled on the DVD cover), this is really a rather one-sided political documentary about the poverty-stricken lifestyle of black Brazilians and the ways their pure music, samba, has been corrupted and co-opted by the music establishment of Brazil. If you're looking for lengthy interviews with people complaining about conditions (and don't care that this was shot in 1982), then this is the DVD for you. If, on the other hand, you want insight into Brazilian music and musicians or Carnival, you'll come away from this documentary feeling distinctly frustrated. Despite an incessant and infectious samba beat, there aren't nearly enough complete musical performances to satisfying either the seeker or the veteran lover of Brazilian popular music. --Marshall Fine