Carandiru (2003, Brazil)

Lady Di arrives in the prison clinic A gruelling story based on real events, following the lives of prisoners in a harsh and inhuman prison in São Paulo. There are many strands of story in the film, the main one being the universal prevalence of AIDS; part of the story is seen through the eyes of a doctor grappling with the epidemic.

Most of the prisoners seem to be portrayed as promiscuously gay, and the doctor is doing AIDS tests. This prisoner presents for the test; s/he identifies as "Lady Di", played by Rodrigo Santoro.


Lady Di and Too Bad get married Later in the film, Lady Di and a man called "Too Bad" decide to declare themselves as married, and the prisoners hold a sort of wedding ceremony; there are other transsexual friends present.

The film climaxes with a prison riot, which is brutally suppressed by armed soldiers; prisoners everywhere are being shot, by soldiers who fear that they will catch AIDS merely by touching an infected prisoner. (In fact 111 prisoners died in the riot). A soldier seems to be on the point of killing Lady Di and Too Bad, but changes his mind. In a semi-documentary segment, Too Bad says, "I guess he didn't have the courage to shoot a woman".

HF April 2006


This Page: Carandiru

Return to Alphabetical Index Page

Return to Home Page

Hazel Freeman's
International Transgender Film Guide
is maintained by

Jenni Olson

and hosted at

Visitors from the US and Canada can help support this site by shopping for LGBT DVDs using this WolfeVideo.com affiliate link. The commission we earn from your purchases will directly support the continued existence of this website. Thank you!