The History of Brazil Is Round

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The History of Brazil Is Round: 3. Playing the Hardline

3. Playing the Hardline

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The History of Brazil Is Round, 3. Playing the Hardline

David Goldblatt explores how football defines Brazill -  dictatorship and democracy.

David Goldblatt explores the history of Brazil through football exploring dictatorship and democracy. From 2014.

David Goldblatt continues his exploration of the history of Brazil through its passion for football. 

The Junta that came to power in 1964 purged Congress and the senior civil service. Political parties were dissolved. 

At first football’s only place on the government’s agenda was as a source of unpaid taxes. Yet by 1969, when the Junta's presidential successor General Costa e Silva, was dying of a stroke, the highest circles in government were pondering if they should announce his illness prior to Brazil’s last qualifying game for the 1970 World Cup. 

Afraid how the news would affect the political mood of the crowd and the performance of the team. By then the dictatorship had faced an outbreak of protest and responded with a massive backlash. Censorship of the media was intensified. The security services arrested and tortured thousands of opponents. 

Congress was effectively closed down. The legitimacy of the regime came to rest on supercharged economic growth and a grandiose nationalism that relied on football for its successes.

Producer:  Mark Burman 

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2014.

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Factual: History

Sport: Football

David Goldblatt unravels the story of Brazil through its historical passion for football.

David Goldblatt unravels the story of Brazil through its historical passion for football where nation and game have shaped each other.

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