A documentary with rhythm and pace befitting the subject -- "I was Born A Black Woman'' is a documentary with a much wider appeal than its title would lend one to believe.

The story of Benedita Da Silva, the first black Brazilian woman to be elected to Brazil's Senate tells in her words how she triumphed through adversity and became a national heroine.

The filmmakers also use other voices to illustrate Benedita's story of will power and conviction. Some of her children are interviewed, a social scientist as well as several average people-on-the street. Carefully edited down to only 44 minutes, the story does venture off the main topic about halfway through but the subject matter being examined is so interesting that its not at all worth complaining about and the main focus does come back to full force after the diversion.

The documentary exposes the hypocrisy of racism in Brazil and is sure to strike a cord with many Bermudians who have felt its effect here. But it is a celebratory story -- not one just brow beating its viewers with the sins of the white opressor of blacks.

It shows the great cohesiveness Benedita has caused in the country with women of all races feeling strongly that their views and concerns are being heard in Government for the first time -- she appears to be the Brazilian version of Oprah Winfrey.

But you might not readily draw that comparison because the fact that she is Brazilian and not from the American South shines through. This documentary captures the beat and sound of the country through a generous interspersing of local music, musicians and festivals. In Portuguese with English subtitles, my heaviest criticism is with the subtitles. Much of the text of the subtitles moved too quickly and in some areas there was none. There were songs sung in Portuguese in some places that I am sure were providing a narrative -- but there was no translation -- and it could not be garnered from simply watching the video. I felt I needed to watch the piece again to really be sure that I absorbed it all.

I know I missed a lot, but I think it was only fair not to look at it a second time before writing this review, afterall movie watchers will not have the luxury of telling the projectionist to rewind the tape because they missed a bit, or to show the whole piece again because like me, there was a significant amount they felt they lost.

But I do not want to deter anyone. Please go and see this film.

I was Born a Black Woman is showing at the Little Theatre at 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Brazil's first black woman Senator, Benedita Da Silva.

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