You might have heard that Comic-Con 2010 started yesterday in San Diego, and that Sylvester Stallone’s new movie, “The Expendables,” made its unofficial debut there. While that in itself is probably not worth mentioning, what’s interesting is the fact that Stallone managed to get a whole lot of people angry by joking about filming in Brazilian locations and the local violence. So because of that, a lot of people are considering the movie an attempt by Stallone to “denigrate the Brazilian image,” and are campaigning against it.

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Why am I mentioning this, and why do I believe the anger is not justified? Well, first of all, nobody has seen the movie yet. And second, Stallone’s comments about violence in (some parts of) Brazil are pretty accurate. I for example don’t know another country where 10 women are killed every day in domestic violence. Also, Rio is by far one of the most violent cities in the world, with an extremely high rate of killing: 50 for 100,000 inhabitants. Brazil itself has a rate of 23, while the US has 6.2 and the UK only 0.7 – source. If that does not make Brazil somewhat violent, I don’t know what does.

Anyway, whatever it was that Stallone said in the “offensive” interview wasn’t a political statement and shouldn’t have been taken as such. But it’s the internet and a lot of people are bored and/or oversensitive about stuff, so yeah… I can see where the angry mob is coming from.

And besides, The Expendables looks like it’s going to be the manliest movie ever made, with tons of action, explosions and an exceptional action-star cast. Why hate on it?



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  • Random Dude

    Everything you wrote is wrong sir, no one is saying that the movie is an attempt to denigrate the image of Brazil, his comments on the other hand were fairly uneducated.

    Saying that brazillians thanked him for blowing stuff and gave him a monkey to take home with him was just stupid and pointless. We dont need a lesson on how violent our country is and we'll certainly not take stupid comments like his lightly.

    The sad thing is i was a big fan of his work…

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    I'm not denying that I might be wrong on some things, but given that what I said is based on what outraged people wrote around the web, that makes me believe only a few people actually know what this is about, the rest pretending to be mad just because it's cool or something.

    Anyway, if what you say is true, I can see why some people would be offended. But not liking his work anymore because you don't like his person is kind of extreme.

  • Random Dude

    I cannot enjoy the work of someone i don't respect, it may seem extreme but i just cant :(
    I get what you're saying about the “pretending to be mad” thing, that kind of “commotion” is usually fueled by brazillian second class “celebrities”, but it doesn't change the fact that every report i've read about the Expendables panel at comic-con quotes Sly saying some pretty distasteful things.

    I'm yet to see the context in which those thing were said (a video perhaps) but you gotta agree that it sounds bad.

  • Random Dude

    Thanks for replying BTW, i forgot to say it in the last post :)

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    No problem, that's why I have a comment section. :D What would be the point if I wouldn't be using it.

    I haven't seen the video (if it exists) in which he talks about the monkey either, so I don't have the full context of it. Which makes me give him the benefit of the doubt about the whole thing – he might be saying it in an obvious joke tone for all we know. I find it hard to believe he said anything distasteful using a tone similar to what Mel Gibson used in his recent leaked phonecalls.

    Things like this can be easily blown out of proportion online, given that they can be started by anyone for personal reasons.

  • Me

    Well, I am brazilian by birth ( unfortunately, but italian/slovenian ancestry thank God ) and I can only agree with Stallone's statement.

    Brazil is a mess. Violent and very hypocrite land. They close the eyes and pretend everything is fine as they pay taxes as high as in first world countries, but unlike the first world countrires in brazil all the money disappears in the asses of politicians while the country sinks in violence, terrible health care system, a very idiotizing media and of course the best brazilian “quality” CORRUPTION!

    I think it's awesome that Stallone said that, so maybe this people wake up.

    As for me, I got tired of this land, so I'm going to Europe and give a monkey to brazil HAHAHA.
    Won't say 'thank you brazil' though.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    I found myself thinking in a similar way a while ago when some French TV show made fun of my country (Romania) by saying that all Romanians are gypsy beggars. Everyone was offended and the government sent out some official letter demanding excuses or something, but I thought it addressed a real issue that we should have been doing more about.

  • Xxxx

    Titus, I am sorry to tell you that this is Stallone. Not professional and clueless person.
    When he says there were 70 security people just to protect his crew, he doesen't know what he is saying. Those people were PAs trying to help organize his movie. The security, as all movies, were for the brazilians and americans.
    Stallone would not even say hi to his crew in the morning and many times, referred the crew as monkeys. He would make jokes all the time and not respect the professionals at all. One of the reasons why many asked to quit.
    Besides the fact that the american production company didn't pay a lot of professionals up till today. Are we monkeys? really?
    The name of the movie fits as a glove to his attitude.
    I am ashamed of saying that I was part of his movie.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    That is rather terrible if it's true.

  • Paulo Smoraes

    Have you ever been to Brazil? If so, have you seen any monkeys on the streets?? Do you really think that you can “explode everything” and people would still say “thank you”? You americans live in another planet. I feel sorry for you… You might be feeling more important than others now, but this will soon change. Your lack of respect and information are unbelievable. 1- Travel more, learn, get some real information.. rather than “copy and paste” non-reliable statistics; 2- Have a think about the people who enter schools with guns and shot 100 children with no reason… this happens a lot closer to you buddy; 3- Do us a favour, SHUT THE FUCK UP, do not talk about Brazil anymore. Paulo

  • Dsnmatter

    I am brazilian and i think i understand why he said that. People here do lick the ass of anyone who is a foreigner from a rich country. it is interesting as it is annoying. i don't know the reason for that. People here like to say they are nationalists, but if there comes anyone from any developed country, people immediately put themselves under. deep inside they know brazil's crap, maybe that's the reason. One thing is respect and welcome visitors. Another thing is what they do here. Idiots.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    If you're referring to me, I'm not American, and the statistics used were put together by a Brazilian institute – Instituto Sangari.

  • silviads

    You don't know another country that women are abused or specially kids are abused? You are an american aren't you? Get out more… Any ways to me you are oversensitive about Sylvester Stallone The walking steroids how many times did he get arrested anyways? Brazilians are not angry mobs just simple and humble people trying to defend against an ungrateful person like Sylvester Stalone. I think he got too much attention and became a bit conceded and thought that no matter what he says against brazil or Brazilians it would've been ok. I don't even live in Brazil but I'll tell you what I'm not gonna pay a cent to see this stupid movie and I do not believe in his apologies.
    And for your information Brazil is among the 10 most powerful country in the world you should read news more. And Brazilians spends more in entertainment than any country I know. I hope that Brazilians hold to their promises not to see this so called big movie. Maybe watch it for free. I love Brazil and their rich culture. Good people.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    “You don't know another country that women are abused or specially kids are abused?” – why don't you give me an example?

  • Silviadsil

    You are so stupid and apparently out of touch with reality. Brazil is amongst the 10 most powerful countries in the world. I'm glad that you think it's unfortunate that you were born in Brazil because we don't need worthless Brazilians like you. I'm German/Italian descent and that's normal for Brazilians. You are not anything special my dear. Brazilians are very patriotic people. people that's happy all the time even the ones that has no money. I'm from Brazil and I don't live there anymore but that doesn't mean that I don't love the country. Never I saw or experienced any type of violence there. So shut up you too!

  • Silviadsil

    Did you read my comment thoroughly? I was responding to the article' author.

  • Laura Muller

    “I for example don’t know another country where 10 women are killed every day in domestic violence.”

    Have you heard of Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Congo, Angola….not to mention, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam…we'll, among others, these are countries were violence is far worse than in brazil now a days…Anyways, not trying to rude here…I'll have to disagree that Stalone wasn't a jackass on his comments on brazil, especially with the fact that he had just left the country.

    Cheers

  • Tom

    This french tv is stupid in a similar way to sylvester stallone. i'm brazilian and i've been in romania twice and these comments are truly nonsense.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    I just happen to be the author. lol

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    The countries you mentioned have very deep political issues and/or conflicts. Most of them also have extremely poor education. And because you can only compare the Brazilian domestic violence to those countries, well, that says a lot.

  • Readbeforesaysomething

    I can´t describe how it is ridiculous, your post doesn´t reveal the truth about these facts, no one is against the movie in Brazil sir, just against Silvester Stallone and what he said that denigrate brazilian image, such a fool and irresponsable comment. If someone outside USA make a comment like that, I bet that you would´t make this kind of post.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    If you know the details of the story, please share them.

  • luna Oliveira

    obviously you never lived outside of brazil before.

    you got nothing different anywhere else, my friend. people are people everywhere.
    you think europe is so great?! there are countries there that are still a MONARCHY where you have to bow to the queen and she has more money than anyone else in her land.
    what a GREAT example of a hypocritical brazilian you are: you don't even help to better off the place you are from.

    get your head out of your cu.

  • Sdigo2000

    http://www.aeromental.net/2010/07/24/video-of-sylvester-stallone-talking-about-brazil-in-the-comic-con-2010/

    See your self what this asshole are saying about BRAZIL…. Lets face it EUA its not a example of security just remember SEp. 11 ………

  • Sdigo2000

    http://www.aeromental.net/2010/07/24/video-of-s…

    See your self what this asshole are saying about BRAZIL…. Lets face it EUA its not a example of security just remember SEp. 11 ………

  • Silviadsil

    http://dev.prenhall.com/divisions/hss/worldrefe…
    You are completely out of touch boy!! Do you know how big is Brazil and at least 3 times more advanced than guess what your own country, instead trying to put down a beautiful and successful country like Brazil! Go take care of ROMANIA!
    ah You know about this already right? 10 Most powerful countries in the world
    And Brazil is included. Do you even know Brazil? Do you know how big is Brazil?

  • Anna

    One thing is to show off the problems Brazil certainly has, the other thing is make fun of it and that was what Stallone did. He mocked about a serious brazilian issue which it happens to be violence. Mostly violence against women as you pointed out in your writing.

    Although I am brazilian, I don't have any concerns about criticism to my country when they're well developed. Brazil should and must be criticized on account of poverty, violence and corruption. But come on, Stallone wanted to make an ass of Brazil saying brazillians thanked him for blowing stuff and gave him a monkey to take home with him.

    Please!!! People still think we walk on the streets with monkeys, ounces passing by?

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    Have you visit anytime our countryt? If you visit our “favelas” and then, visit Bronx, you are going to see the same, you know? he violence you said, exist in your country as well… and besides, we are not so violent as America… We do not have any, i repeat any, country, state, tribe, religion, organization or group of people focused on make our lives worst, legally or illegally, with protests or bombs or planes… And i ask you: Why we do not have it? Is just because we are a pacific country… we are a gentle country, everyone who came to Brasil are well received… Violence cames from many places and situations, unfair richness distribuition, poverty, absence of formal education, and so many others, but, if rich countries as yours, make a correct use of money, reducing army budgets and expanding, really, social and humanitary budgets, it will be just a short time question to have violence at all the world, disapearing… and maybe then, we can visit each other, you with no risk to be killed by a bandit or, ourselves, with no risk to be blowed by an insane terrorist flying a hijack plane… So, try to see the big picture… Violence is not, pure and simple, a statistic matter… Violence is, certainly, result of our omissions and blind vision… ,And not, really, a stereotyped point of view, came from movie stars, not movie artists, limited by their short vision, their arrogance, and certainly, by their low formal education… You see, education, always, makes the difference…

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    Just to clarify and enrich your comments, Armand, about statistics i mean, a simple search on federal certified american statistics, from 76 to 96, 4,2 women are murdered at USA by her intimate partners… And so, i do not know any country who have so high degree of injuries by domestic violence once i can't believe that from 96 to 2010, this kind of domestic violence has been reduced at USA…Considering the increase of population, the economic crisis on last decade, it is easy to realize that this statistic, certainly nowadays, surpass 10 women by day…

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    No, it does not says a lot… USA does not have this “very deep political issues and or conflicts” or “extremely poor education” your words, but, USA has the same high level of domestic violence, see http://www.aardvarc.org stats, please. And we, brazilians, we are not an “angry mob”, we are just a pacific people, without internal or external war conflicts since hundred of years, in opposition to USA, a country involved in internal and external wars, since it was born…

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    USA, you can check it on http://www.aardvarc.org, as i told you twice.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    I see your point and agree with it, but I don't believe international opinion sees Brazil anything like Stallone might have described it, which is why I don't see any real harm in anything he said. I still believe it's been mostly blown out of proportion by overly nationalist people. All Twitter was saying was that “Stallone is trying to denigrate Brazil's image.” If the image of any country is that easy to “denigrate,” that's a problem in and of itself. Taking it out on the one making the comment doesn't fix anything.

    That being said, I still want to visit Brazil. :D

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    Source of those numbers?

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    You have a point there.

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    As i mentioned on other reply, above, http://www.aardvarc.org, and it is not number from a international organization working in your country, as the one you mentioned for your numbers… It is an internal, native, organization, and the number came from federal institutions… so, You position and you lack of information about real facts, are the reason for this kind of reply, from me and many other Brazilian citizens…

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    We always receive well, any kind of person, if they have good intentions, for sure. Our replies for this issue are just a natural reaction when we realize that good people as you and many others, still believe that America is the paradise and all other countries are the backyard… a dirty one. And this is a stereotyped vison, and most important, we must answer this kind of words, coming from a public personality, like Rambo, sorry Silvester, specially when he wants to sell something for us…

  • Phillipe

    “Violence cames from many places and situations, unfair richness distribuition, poverty, absence of formal education, and so many others, but, if rich countries as yours, make a correct use of money, reducing army budgets and expanding, really, social and humanitary budgets”

    Because the state is SO good at helping the poor…… LOL

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    If you lol thinking we are aksking for USA to help us, i am sorry to say you are complelly wrong phillipe… When USA always crashes in bankrupcy last two years, we here, stay calm and withot any crisis for that… economic or social, no suicides increase, no broken enterprises with stocks turning in dust…So, whe i mentioned social and hunanitary budgets, i am thinking globally, not as a little bad boy, proud to have a big house or a big car…thinking locally, thinking that be strong, be rich, have things or money, is the top of the world… grow up phillipe, the world and humanity is not such kind of kindergarten words… we do not need USA help by the way, and we share our money with countries around the world, as Haiti, just to remember a recent drama, so, we are not asking for help, but we aprreciate if we have it, and we are not asking for respect, we have it. Always, from nations and people who really knows WE and our Great country.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rafaella3 Rafaella Rodrigues

    I do not understand why people are so crazed about the Stallane comments! Obviously anyone that lacks discretion as to diminish a country, are simply uneducated and ignorant! Every country has its own distinctive problems, where in Brazil might be the violence, in which by the way, its only in about 3 states out of 26 which people seems to forget. Before you or anyone dare to open their mouth to mention how america is so much better than anyone else. specially Brazil, take a look at the statistics, and do your homework; according to CNN (an american tv station) Detroit and New Orleans but not Brazil are the most violent cities in the world, along with many many other websites backed up by years of statistics! You know what the problem is?! America loves to “buff” things out, they only disclose what they want the american people to know; in the other hand, Brazilian news disclose everyyything, every single little detail! And Stallone mentioned how he could get away with so many things in Brazil, and guess what, because unlike America, Brazil is still a free country, and we do not have a whole bunch of lawyer ruining our country in every single angle they can! And while he said we would give them a monkey (which just show how ignorant he really is), Americans would give us their first born child if money was good! I mean i could go on forever, talking about a country that their whole entire history is based on taking away from the less fortunate, and somehow twisting it to make it sound like they are heroes. They took everything away from native americans, they put japaneses in camps just like Nazis did to jews (but nooo they didnt want to be part of WWII), and the new thing now is slave the Hispanic immigrants, pretending we do not want them here, but making them work for $5 like animals. Oh this just gets me so angry… human ignorance humor me!

  • Paulo

    oh come on give me a fucking brake you …I have lived in America for 4 years , I am Braziliam and despite the violence rate in Rio , this is not what Stallone statetment was about , was not a political point, was a stupid joke, with no regard for the country who treated him like a king….to say that you can explode evreywhere and they would still say thank you and give you a monkey to bring back home is far from a olitical statment neither statisc of violence rate ,,,,,and America also has its cities with high hates of violence like DC, DEtroit, NEw Orleas, any big city has crimes come on , the midia just maximize it , i have been to Rio on new years with my American friend from Boston and in the goog neibohoods just like any ohter cities it is just fine so take it easy , you probably have never been to Rio , I am sure of that, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and in America bad neiborhoods just have high rate crime as well give me a brake ……What he did was a stupid disrespectful thing to do and just reinforce the image spread all over the world about the american arrogance and disregard for other countries and cultures, it was shamefull for the american image….rethink that…..all of my well educated american frineds agree with me that was stupid what he did.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    I'm not a US citizen. And your argument against the statistics that I used is weak, to say the least.

    PS: Instituto Sangari is Brazilian.

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    You must have no idea what's going on in those countries.

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    To say the last, your argument is weak, for sure, your stats came from an alien organization not a brazilian one, not a brazilian federal institution as the stats i mentioned about 4.2 women killed at US from 76 to 96, and i was wondering… what is the number right now… but i understand you, you based your args on weak and wrong numbers, instead of me, i based on http://www.aardvaarc.org, who uses US Federal stats. Just to close this conversation with the real facts. And if you go to aardvarrc, you will confirm everything and watchout… you, not us, are living in a very dangerous and violent country…

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    PS “Sangari” is not a portuguese word, as the institute named… The fact of an organization have adress at Brasil does not mean that it is brazilian… But, nevermind, you are not interested in truth…, you know?

  • http://armannd.com/ Titus-Armand

    So you don't trust research done by Brazilians? Good to know you guys trust each other.

    And again, I don't live in the US.

    Also, the site you base your information on is not the official site of any US organization. Its credibility is null.

    PS: Sangari doesn't have to be a Portuguese word.

  • Karen

    So, can u tell us where r u from?

  • Karen

    Well, now maybe u get the point, as soon I came to Europe, I heard some advices about living in Europe, and guess , on of them was – take care with the gipsy pickpocket romanians.
    Not nice to think, well I am brazilian, so ! whats the point?
    Theres no point ! DONT judge if u dont KNOW and even dont believe in everything that people said!

  • Julio Cesar Gama

    In the same way, sangari, the site you base your information on is not the official site of any Brazilian organization. Its credibility is null. lAnd i know you do not live in US, i believe you live outside this world or, in a backpack that silvester stallone forgot on a distant location. And the information on aardvaarc is completely, absolutely, OFICIAL US Information.

  • Karen

    I even dont need write here, you already said everything that I had in mind!
    USA are great to make people believe in what they want and are also good to hide the true from them, so, maybe this is the reason why the NORTH AMERICAN PEOPLE are so blind about the reality, they cant even know the true in their own country and go for what others say about the rest of the world! Such ashamed !

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