#bate-bolas

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group of bate-bolas bursting through the gates of the Coroado de Jacarepaguá Samba School, scene from Bate-Bola: o mais bonito (2017), an independent documentary directed by Gabriel Floro

[selleriart]

The Carnival weekend in Brazil finished yesterday and on the first day I found 2 boys dressed as Bate-Bolas (that means something like "ball-beaters") or "Clóvis" (derivative from the word "Clown") Are people who every carnival dresses like a kind of creepy clown and go out on the streets beating their plastic balls on ground, scaring any distracted person. I remember that when I was a kid and celebrate carnival, I have SO MUCH fear of bate-bolas, obviosly because their fantasies are very scaring for any child.

Bate-bola is a very ancient and tradicional brazilian culture and is taken seriously by who do. Its a common culture on suburbs across the country (including where I live) and now, as adult, I see that as something really amazing. Plus: in the past, they used animals bladders with air for the balls.

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beautiful costumes and backstage footage from Bate-Bola: o mais bonito (2017), an independent documentary directed by Gabriel Floro

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“Since the 1930s during the Carnaval period, residents of Rio’s suburbs have used this costume to create a show, provoking fear and fascination. This costume is known as Clóvis or Bate-Bolas.”

Bate-Bola: o mais bonito (2017) an independent documentary directed by Gabriel Floro

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“Since the 1930s during the Carnaval period, residents of Rio’s suburbs have used this costume to create a show, provoking fear and fascination. This costume is known as Clóvis or Bate-Bolas.”

Bate-Bola: o mais bonito (2017) an independent documentary directed by Gabriel Floro

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“Quando estoura os fogos, a lágrima cai e quem tiver na frente vai cair, meu irmão”

Bate-Bola: o mais bonito (2017) an independent documentary directed by Gabriel Floro

[msamba]

Ebook Bate-bolas Contemporâneos the secret carnival in Rio de Janeiro www.livrobatebola.com.br

[filmemascarados-blog]

Bate-bolas no carnaval de Brasília de 2016 

No carnaval de 2016, acompanhamos a folia dos Bate-bolas de Brasília . Saímos do Cruzeiro, bairro onde moram até a folia da quadra 402 Norte ( Plano Piloto ) no último dia da festa. Estes bate-bolas são, em sua maioria, cariocas que vivem em Brasília há muitos anos e tentam trazer e preservar a tradição dos mascarados aqui na cidade. Eles representam diferentes turmas do RJ, mas aqui a brincadeira não tem rivalidade, não tem violência e ainda remonta a estética das origens dos bate-bolas. Estamos preparando um mini-documentário sobre eles. Aguardem. Foto: Rachel Bertazzi