The noughties have been a good time for South American cinema, with first Argentina and now Brazil blossoming on the world cinema stage. Compatriots Walter Salles and Fernando Meirelles have already left their native Brazil to make films overseas, but Sérgio Machado is in no hurry to follow suit, despite his fast-paced street drama Lower City being a hit at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

  WATCH: Director Sérgio Machado on the history of Brazil's Lower City, and why it was easy to shoot on location there

  WATCH: Sérgio Machado on the ideas behind Lower City

  WATCH: Sérgio Machado on the state of Brazilian cinema, and why he's in no mood for fantasy

  WATCH: Sérgio Machado on his association with fellow countryman Walter Salles

Lower City is released in UK cinemas on Friday 2nd December 2005.