The Man of the Year

A cinematic study of the bleak realities of modern day Brazil, O Homen do Ano (aka Man of the Year) follows the brooding M?iquel (Murilo Benicio) as he discovers that the smallest changes in life can make the biggest differences. Jobless and insecure to the point where he can't even face himself in the mirror, a terrified M?iquel enters a salon to have his hair died platinum blond after losing a soccer bet to a friend. His new look supplying an unexpected jolt of confidence, M?iquel asks Cledir (Claudia Abreu), the salon employee who died his hair, to join him at the bar in celebration. Taunted by local bully Suel upon arrival at the bar, M?iquel decides to settle the matter by purchasing a rifle and shooting down the loudmouthed Suel in the presence of Suel's young girlfriend (Natalia Lage). Unexpectedly hailed as a hero by his neighbors and the police, Suel's girlfriend subsequently approaches M?iquel and claims that since he killed Suel, it is now Miquel's responsibility to care for her. Simultaneously learning that Cledir is pregnant and anticipating a marriage proposal, Miquel's newfound reputation soon catches up to him as the dubious requests of influential locals begin to take their toll on him.