Portuguese with English subtitles
With Carlos Fico, Robert Bentley, James Green, Peter Kornbluh, Plinio de Arruda Sampaio, Denise Assis, Jarbas Passarinho, Julio de Sa Bierrenbach, Newton Cruz, Hernani Fittipaldi, Ivan Cavalcanti Proenca, Laurita Mourao, Rui Moreira Lima, Clodsmith Riani.
The Day that Lasted 21 Years reveals how and why the United States supported a conspiracy to overthrow the Brazilian elected President Joao Goulart in 1964.
Forty-five years later, Top Secret CIA and White House Telegrams reveal how United States Ambassador Lincoln Gordon acted behind the scenes to plan the longest military dictatorships of South America, which lasted until 1985, with the support of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.
The documentary was written by journalist Flavio Tavares; an ex-political prisoner who was arrested during the military dictatorship and recovered his freedom in exchange for the life of United States Ambassador Charles Burke Elbrick.
Press
“The film captivates and stimulates moral and ethical questions in the use of political and military power in international as well as domestic settings. Tavares superbly provides much fodder for group studies in sociology, political science, history and criminology. Perhaps this film may enlighten debate about this type of activity in the developing role of global terrorism that our society now finds itself confronting daily.” – Malcolm L. Rigsby, Department of Sociology, Human Services, & Criminal Justice, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, EMRO
“Excellent archive documentary examines local factors, and U.S. complicity, that turned Brazil into a military dictatorship...Gripping documentary.” – Stephen Dalton, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
“U.S. meddling in South American politics is starkly uncovered in The Day That Lasted 21 Years...An eye-opening documentary whose merits deserve fest and ancillary support.” – Jay Weissberg, VARIETY
“A fascinating delve into American governmental and CIA plans to disrupt the democratic leaders of Brazil, which eventually would lead to the 1964 coup d’état, The Day That Lasted 21 Years (O dia que durou 21 anos) offers a gripping insight into political machinations.” – Mark Adams, SCREENDAILY
Notes on Film
I have a personal interest in this subject, as my father journalist Flavio Tavares was one of 15 political prisoners exchanged for Charles Burke Elbrick, the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil in 1969. This happened at the height of the military dictatorship in Brazil, where civilians were arrested, tortured, and murdered for disagreeing publicly of government regulations.
In my life there has always been a gap too large with respect to my past and the history of my country, and I needed to understand what really led Brazil to suspend democracy for 21 years.
This film was made by a thorough research that lasted about 3 years. We managed to get rich historical material, including original documents and recordings by Presidents J.F. Kennedy and L. Johnson, recorded in the living room of the U.S. presidency in the White House. Through meticulous and hard work, we managed to reassemble the puzzle of facts and understand the process that triggered the 1964 military coup and the dictatorial government that lasted 21 years in Brazil.
