The film was a documentary feature produced by his production company; it detailed the story of a bus hijacking in his hometown.

Employing his interest in politics, Padilha used the film to show how social engineered poverty in Rio de Janeiro had an effect on crime.

[4] The movie was a success, earning $217,201 at the box office, but caused controversy for some who believed that Padilha was sympathizing with a criminal, and portraying the police as incompetent and corrupt.

In 2008, Padilha won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for Elite Squad, bringing him international attention.

It still holds the record highest domestic grossing film and all-time largest box office ticket sales in Brazil.

[12] This film explores certain allegations first brought to light in Patrick Tierney's book Darkness in El Dorado (2000), that anthropologists studying the Yanomami Indians in the 1960s and 1970s engaged in bizarre and inappropriate interactions with the tribe, including sexual and medical violations.

Padilha continued with his political narrative by using the film to illustrate the dangers and moral hazards of automated violence.