‘Nelma Kodama: The Queen of Dirty Money’ Netflix Review - An Ill Made Documentary

When I first came across the title of this Netflix documentary, the immediate question that popped into my mind was, "Who is Nelma Kodama?" Let's start with that. Nelma Kodama is a Brazilian businesswoman who claims to be a millionaire. Why did she make headlines? She was caught with 200,000 euros hidden in her underwear at Guarulhos airport. Pretty shocking and bizarre, right? I thought so too.

This documentary dives deep into Nelma's life, featuring one-on-one interviews with her. Nelma comes across as a highly confident woman, proud of her financial acumen. She boasts of having become a billionaire before she turned 30. The documentary explores her strategies for making money, the moments leading up to her arrest, and the reasons behind it. But it doesn’t stop there—it also includes interviews with her while she was in prison.

Inside the prison, we see a completely different side of Nelma. Stripped of her glamorous exterior, she presents a raw and unfiltered version of herself. The transformation is stark and provides a fascinating contrast to the confident businesswoman we see in the earlier interviews. The documentary not only delves into her life story but also paints a broader picture of her rise and fall, offering insights into her mindset and the consequences of her actions.

After watching the documentary, one thing is clear and that is that Nelma and corruption go hand in hand. We see her glamorous, flashy life but now after watching the documentary we also know where she gets that money from.  Kodama has faced multiple charges related to financial crimes over the past several years.

Her first major exposure came in 2006 when she was revealed as an underground currency trader. This occurred during an investigation into money laundering operations involving the exchange house where she was employed and various bingo houses.

Kodama was also implicated in Brazil’s notorious Lava Jato (Operation Car Wash) scandal, which uncovered widespread corruption within the state oil company Petrobras. Kodama was subsequently sentenced to 18 years in prison for corruption, illegal foreign exchange activities, and involvement in a criminal organization. Her sentence was cut short due to a cooperation agreement and a pardon from then-President Michel Temer in 2017.

However, she came under investigation again in 2018 after appearing on social media wearing jewelry allegedly stolen from a mansion in São Paulo. And that’s where her downfall actually begins.

However, the documentary tends to lose its momentum and becomes somewhat tedious. While the plot has the potential to be fascinating, the execution falls short. The pacing drags, making it challenging to stay engaged. At times, the narrative feels superficial, lacking the depth and intensity that the subject matter deserves. The intriguing elements of Nelma Kodama's story are overshadowed by a lackluster presentation, which diminishes the overall impact of the documentary. It leaves the audience yearning for a more dynamic and compelling portrayal of such a captivating figure.

If you are into documentaries then you can watch this one, otherwise, it can be skipped.

Final Score- [4/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times