The Gracies and the Birth of Vale Tudo
The Gracies and the Birth of Vale Tudo is a 2009 documentary film directed by Victor Cesar Bota AbOUT the Brazilian Gracie family, who created Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the UFC.
Background
In 2003. Director Victor Cesar Bota was looking for a topic for a documentary. While at dinner with a friend, another friend walked in wearing a Renzo Gracie shirt. When Bota asked him where Renzo was currently living, he said he was in NYC and had opened a new gym. Right then Bota knew this could be it. He went to the gym, spoke with Renzo, and Renzo (who is Bota's childhood friend) loved the idea.
Production
Shot during 6 years in San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, SÃĢo Paulo, Petropolis, Rio De Janeiro and Miami. It was self-financed by the filmmakers on a small budget.
Release
It premiered at the 2009 Rio de Janeiro Film festival.
Reception
There are several on-line reviews written about the film at present
Cast
(as themselves)
- Renzo Gracie
- Robson Gracie
- Ryan Gracie
- Rolls Gracie
- Rickson Gracie
- Carlson Gracie
- Reylson Gracie
- Oleg Taktarov
- Carlos Gracie
- Carlos Gracie, Jr.
- Rilion Gracie
- Rorion Gracie
- Royce Gracie
- Royler Gracie
- Rodrigo Gracie
- Claudia Zandomenico
- Gary Busey
- Mel Gibson
- Sonja Gracie
- Chuck Norris
- Rei Zulu