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27-05-2025
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Netflix Brazil Unveils a ‘Sintonia' Spin-Off, Soccer Shows on Brazil 1970, Ronaldinho and Neymar and a Scripted Series on Brazil's Biggest Ever Radioactive Disaster
Directors Fernando Coimbra ('A Wolf at the Door') and top production houses Gullane ('Senna'), O2 Filmes ('City of God') and Boutique Filmes ('3%') feature among 10 new productions announced Monday by Netflix. The new announcements matter. Netflix does not break out client figures for individual countries. Brazil ranks, however, as its second-biggest market globally with 20.6 million paid subscribers, according to global analyst Omdia estimates. That places it ahead of the U.K. (17.7 million), Germany (17.5 million), and France (14.6 million). More from Variety 'Cocomelon' Acquired by Disney+; Netflix Deal Ends After 60% Viewership Decrease Netflix Reteams with 'Eternaut' Star Ricardo Darín on New Movie as Streamer 'Doubles Down' on Argentina 'Sirens' Creator on the Power of Lilly Pulitzer, Michaela's Bird Obsession and Turning Greek Myth Into New England Nightmare One of Brazil's biggest challenges is to export its biggest swings. Save for a rare exception like 'Senna,' Netflix Brazilian shows are not global plays. Yet some achieve global viewership via Netflix, led in 2024 by 'Desperate Lies,' Burning Betrayal,' 'Senna' (which bowed Nov. 29), 'Bionic' and 'Good Morning, Veronica' according to PlumResearch. Further breakouts this year take in 'A Tragedy Foretold: Flight 3054,' 'Sintonia,' 'Senna,' 'Burning Betrayal' and 'Stranded with My Mother in Law,' added Jonathan Broughton, at PlumResearch.. The 10 new unveils were made on the eve of Rio de Janeiro mega creativity forum Rio2C, where the U.S. SVOD leader will host a panel on the technological legacy of 'Senna' and another on the power of reality show casting, underscored by its own 'Stranded With My Mother-in-Law' Seasons 1 and 2. O2 Filmes is producing high-tech doc series 'Brazil 70 – A Saga do Tri,' about the key match plays and journeys of Brazilian soccer players – Pele, Jarzinho, Carlos Alberto – during Brazil's probably greatest FIFA World Cup triumph. 'Sintonia,' Netflix's biggest Brazilian franchise whose final Season 5 dropped in February, will receive a movie spin-off continuing Nando's story. Johnny Araújo directs again, Gullane produces once more. Scribe-helmer Coimbra and Gullane ('Noah's Ark,' 'The Second Mother') reunite after 'A Wolf at the Door' and 'Carnival is Over,' on 'Emergencia Radiactiva,' a mini-series inspired by the biggest non-nuclear-plant radioactive accident in history. Further new Netflix Brazil highlights announced Monday include biopics on soccer greats Ronaldinho and Neymar and Boutique Filmes' fiction chronicle of a crime that rocked Brazil, the Elize Matsunaga case. To date in 2025, Netflix has already released island-set reality challenge contest 'Stranded With My Mother in Law' Season 2, and three documentaries: 'Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta,' a take on the person behind the pop supernova persona; 'A Tragedy Foretold, Flight 3054,' about the deadliest aviation accident ever in South America, which ranked No. 4 among Netflix global Top 10 non-English shows over April 21-27, and 'Baila, Vini,' a take on Real Madrid soccer star Vinicius Jr.'s career and his troubled battle against racism. Crime thriller 'Os Donos do Jogo,' a 'Brotherhood' spin-off and 'Stranded With My Mother in Law' Season 3 have all wrapped production. 'Netflix continues to strengthen its investment in Brazil's audiovisual market,' it said Monday. How is that playing out? Six ways in which Netflix is pushing the envelope in Brazil, followed by a brief drill down on the newly announced productions: Expanding Netflix's Horizons In its drive for transformation of Brazil's film-TV scene, Netflix is exploring little frequented genres or shooting firsts for the streaming giant. Among unveils are its first wildlife doc in Brazil and indeed Latin America, 'Marcha das Oncas,' and Netflix's first horror movie, 'Fazenda Colonial,' made by an all female writing-directing team. Continuing to broaden its output. 'We not only aim to offer variety to a diverse audience but to encourage the development of new stories in Brazil,' Netflix Brazil head of films Higia Ikeda said Monday. A Drive into Brazilian Original Reality Shows Also unveiled, Korea-set 'Meu Namorado Coreano' joins other Netflix Brazil original reality shows, one of its fastest-building growth axes, reflecting the growing interest of Brazilian audiences in reality formats, said Elisa Chalfon, Netflix Brazil lead of non-fiction. She called Netflix's backing 'Meu Namorado Coreano'as 'very meaningful,' 'supporting the growth of the market, building specialized teams and expanding Brazilian entertainment's repertoire with originality and cultural strength.' Production Values Pushing authenticity, Netflix and Zola Filmes drafted in Peter Lee Thomas, a trainer for Halle Berry, to choreograph fight scenes on 'Fúria,' another new show, which required intense physical preparation, rehearsals and workshops. Turning on Elize Matsunaga's murder of her husband, real crime fiction suspense drama 'Uma Garota de Classe' features a faithful and detailed recreation of the apartment where the Matsunaga couple lived. Cutting-Edge Technology Marking a major leap in technology, Netflix-O2 Filmes' 'Brazil 70' yokes archival image research to VFX, reconstructing games moves and moments that weren't captured in detail in 1970 due to the limited technology of the time, exploring those in ultra-detailed shots and angles. 'We are making a significant investment in visual effects to recreate the matches and historic plays with the highest level of realism, combining on-location shoots in Brazil and Mexico with meticulous image research and digital finishing,' said Haná Vaisman, Netflix Brazil's scripted series lead. Brazilian Relevance 'Documentaries and reality shows are a direct bridge to the reality of our country and our subscribers — and Brazil has countless stories that have yet to be told,' said Chaflon. Brazilian stories can hike local audience engagement through their emotional proximity, while boosting a sense of authenticity. Netflix's aim, it said in a statement Monday, is 'to play a transformative role in Brazil's audiovisual landscape, offering globally resonant content rooted in local authenticity.' 'Brazilian content performs best when it leans into local identity, music or true stories, builds emotional resonance over spectacle and uses urban realism and cultural specificity to feel universal,' said Broughton. The Move Into Real Life Inspired Action Thrillers That authenticity takes in action thrillers, Brazil's potentially biggest next international calling card. Netflix confirmed Monday completion of filming on series 'Os Donos do Jogo,' co-created and directed by Heitor Dhalia, inspired by Rio's gaming mafia. At January's Next on Netflix, it showed new first look photos of the second season of smash hit series 'Criminal Code,' its most watched Brazilian series of second half 2023 inspired by a 2017 heist and subsequent real-life events. The series was heavily researched, creator Dhalia has said. 'Jogo' is following suit. Of Netflix's 10 new productions announced Monday, seven are inspired by real-life events or figures. Here Are the 10 New Productions Series 'Emergencia Radiactiva,' (Fernando Coimbra, Gullane) Coimbra's sharp human observation wrapped in a thriller format were major merits of 'A Wolf at the Door.' He returns to the same mix in this mini-series, relating the 1987 Goiâna radioactive accident – where scavengers unwittingly sold to neighbors 40 TBq of Caesium-137 found in a hospital radiation-therapy machine. People were curious about its glow. The miniseries frames a race against time, spotlighting the battle between physicists and doctors to save thousands of lives. 'Fúria,' (José Henrique Fonseca, Zola Filmes) Director of Netflix hit 'Bom dia, Verônica,' on Netflix over 2020-24, Fonseca returns with 'Füria,' about an amnesiac MMA fighter battling for a place in the MMA world and the rediscovery of his true identity as he's embroiled in a dangerous web of crime, ambition, and secrets that threaten his life and that of his mentor. 'Brazil 70 – A Saga do Tri,' (Naná Xavier, Rafael Dornelles, 02 Filmes) The 1970 World Cup saw Brazil's greatest team and some of its greatest goals such as Pele's nonchalant pass into space for Carlos Alberto in the final against Italy. Such moments are now rooted in a generation's collective memory, Netflix noted. Produced by O2 Filmes and directed by Pedro and Paolo Morelli, behind Series Mania title 'Raul Seixas: Let Me Sing,' 'Brazil 70 – A Saga do Tri,' recreates such highlights while chronicling the troubled personal journeys of Brazilian players. Reality Shows 'Meu Namorado Coreano,' Five Brazilian women hit a bustling Seoul to find out whether 'their relationships can withstand distance, cultural differences, and a whole new routine,' said Netflix. 'Each new production is an opportunity to innovate, test new storytelling styles, and engage directly with the audience,' commented Netflix's Chalfon. Documentaries A Ronaldinho Bio-Doc Winning near every trophy out – a World Cup, Copa América, Copa Libertadores and 2005 Ballon d'Or – and author of goals of extraordinary technique, imagination and often sheer cheek, the doc-feature will tell Ronaldinho's career story with 'humor and lightness, revealing little-known episodes and never-before-seen interviews,' according to Netflix. It is produced by Floresta ('Shark Tank Brazil,' 'Lady Night,' 'Bugados'), part of Sony Pictures Television International Productions. Untitled Neymar-Santos Doc Another Brazilian soccer doc, catching Neymar as he returns to soccer club Santos, where he first made his name, bidding to regain its former glory, having been relegated in 2023 to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B for the first time in its 111-year history. It will prove no cake walk. Improbable and Ginga Pictures produce. 'Marcha das Oncas,' Described as the journey of three jaguars in Brazil's Pantanal using advanced technology to reveal challenges faced by the species and the vital importance of its conservation. Entirely conceived, created and produced in Brazil, directed by Lawrence Wahba and co-produced by Duo2 and France's Bonne Pioche, behind 'The March of the Penguins,' a 2006 best doc feature Oscar winner. Films 'Uma Garota de Classe,' (Vellas, Boutique Filmes) Elize Matsunaga case, which saw her shoot dead and dismember her husband, heir to the Yoki food empire, already inspired a 2021 Netflix true-crime docuseries. Here it receives a fiction film makeover, billed by Netflix as 'a thriller with melodramatic touches, exploring social class, ambition, and violence in a provocative way.' Directed by Vellas, who helmed Amazon Prime's 'DOM' and two episodes of Netflix's 'Crime Code,' the series is written by acclaimed crime novelist turned screenwriter Raphael Montes whose 'Perfect Days' inspired Anonymous Content Brazil's first scripted project. 'Sintonia' Nando Spin off Launched August 2019, set in São Paulo's outer-radius slums and created by music producer KondZilla, the driving force behind Brazilian urban funk, along with producer-writer Felipe Braga and Guilherme Quintella, 'Sintonia' made waves through its mixture of KondZilla's street cred, a potent mix of Brazilian funk, drug crime and teen ambition and a universal theme of bedrock friendship between by Season 5 incarcerated drug trafficker Nando, law school graduate Rita and music impresario Doni. The movie spin-off continues Nando's story, details to be revealed at a later date. 'Fazenda Colonial,' (Marcela Mariz, Renata di Carmo) A group of friends' take a celebratory trip to an old farm, which ends in a sinister reunion with the past. Kromaki ('Birthright') and Panda Filmes ('Los Terrines') produce, Mariz ('David Mirisch, The Man Behind the Golden Stars') and Di Carmo ('Senhoras') direct. 'The work subverts the genre by incorporating elements of Brazilian social history, a smart and subversive take on social issues such as racism, told through the lens of horror,' Netflix noted Monday. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
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27-05-2025
- Business
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Rio2C's Industry Pitching Captures a Brazil Intent on Remembering the Forgotten, Its Slaves, Extraordinary Artists and an Emblematic Guerrilla Fighter
Flavio Frederico and Mariana Pamplona's 'Clandestine – The Life of Iara Iavelberg,' Beto Oliveira's 'Flora' and Lucas Peligrineti's 'Pupupu/Bibibi' feature in the lineups of Rio2C's Industry Pitching, one of the highlights of the mega creativity forum which kicks off Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro. Covering 24 titles split in four sections – Fiction, Animation, Documentary/Factual and Reality Shows – the lineup shows Brazilian creators leaning into the realities of Brazil, and often issues of race, gender and climate change. More from Variety O2 Filmes to Produce a Biopic of Samba Star Elza Soares: 'If She Were American, She Would be Compared to Ella Fitzgerald'(EXCLUSIVE) Rio2C, Latin America's Largest Creativity Event, Reaches Record Attendance as Rio de Janeiro Aims to Build as Brazil's Film and TV Capital Netflix Brazil Unveils a 'Sintonia' Spin-Off, Soccer Shows on Brazil 1970, Ronaldinho and Neymar and a Scripted Series on Brazil's Biggest Ever Radioactive Disaster Even in the Animation section, heavy on comedic fantasy adventures, the protagonists of 'Formiga,' featuring a fantasy kite world, come from one of Brazil's impoverished outer-city. Turning on the comedic adventures of a lively beetle and curious ladybug, 'Pupupu Bibibi' pictures insects of the Amazon, which often seem straight out of a sci-fi movie. Above all, multiple titles attempt to remember the half or totally forgotten. 'Flora' imagines the thoughts and feelings of slave Flora Maria Blumer de Toledo, the first Black woman to become a member of Brazil's Methodist Church.'Rogério Duprat: the Maestro (Beyond) Tropicalia' and 'Tomorrow, Under the Sun' recuperate the extraordinary artistic figures of composer Rogério Duprat and murdered photographer Alair Gomes. Fictional miniseries 'Clandestine' relives the most memorable moments in the life of Brazilian guerrilla fighter Iara Iavelberg, murdered by Brazil's military regime in 1971. 'Of all the forms of violence shown in the film, the biggest of them is the system created to extinguish memory of Brazil's Black people and the responsibility for the acts committed,' director Beto Oliveira says of 'Flora.' 'More than a cinebiography, 'Clandestine' is a political and artistic gesture of reparation — a tribute to a woman that Brazil needs to know better,' Frederico told Variety. The Industry Pitching titles: 'Flora,' (Frame 7 Cinema) A fiction feature take on the life of Flora Maria Blumer de Toledo (1833-1892), freed from slavery in 1881 by U.S. Protestant missionary Martha Watts who, in helmer Beto Oliveira's take, questions whether emancipation gives her true freedom. Scheduled for a November premiere, from Frame 7 Cinema, an attempt to counter the erasure of Brazil's Black population from history and a follow-up to Oliveira's doc-feature 'Forgetting Flora.' ' (Universo HUP) A dramedic web series unspooling as a fascist government consolidates in Brazil, Black college students launch a comedy web series channel of resistance while still finding space for relationships and self-discovery. Channel segs include sketches, standup and a joke duel. From Universe HUP, formerly founded in 2023 and rating as a Santa Catarina Federal last year. 'Their Story,' ('A História Delas') Coming together to make a film Darlene, rich but directionless, and her writers are encouraged to think about female representation and rethink their lives. A comedy feature in development at Fagundes Produçãos, '100% Trans Fat' ('100% Gordura Trans,' 502 Digital) Backed by Rio-based 502 Digital and Paulo Gustavo funding via RioFilme 2023, an eight-part comedy series. Helô a young Black, plus-size trans woman, discovers her hidden talent, making people laugh, and, hitting Rio's Rio's underground comedy scene, that humor is a powerful tool against bigotry. A simpático TV comedy series from 502 Digital boss Henrique Freitas, a writer on kids pic 'Luccas e Gi em: Dinossauros' and writer-director on short 'Ecco Home,' just hitting the fest circuit. 'Clandestine, the Life of Iara Iavelberg,' ('Clandestina, a Vida de Ira Iavelberg,' Kinoscópio) One of the big plays at the Pitchings, created by respected action movie/doc writer-directors Flavio Frederico and Mariana Pamplona ('São Paulo Heist') at Kinoscópio, a TV series on the life and murder of Iara Iavelberg, a psychology graduate from São Paulo from a well-off family, lover of Marco Lamarca, and an icon of armed resistance to the military regime. 'The Missed Voice,' ('A Voz Que Ninguém Escutou,' Sarasvati) After her mother's suicide, Black journalist Vánia discovers her diary, detailing her torture under Brazil's military dictatorship. Based on Renan Silva's novel, winner of the 2024 Kindle Prize for Literature, a feature battling to reposition Brazil's 'poor, Black people, from the Northeast and women, as central characters in the history of Brazil.' In development. Animation 'Becoming an Elf,' ('Como Virar um Elfo,' Ateliê Suburbano) A magical coming of age series about how Joaquim becomes a wise elf, a comedic fantasy adventure receiving $400,000 from Paulo Gustavo Law Funding and distinguished by its catchy soundtrack, says Ateliê. Created by Ateliê creative director Rômulo Viera, targeting 7-11s, and now in production. 'Botija Hunters,' ('Caçadores de Botija,' Mold Studio) Produced by Mold, based in Paraiba capital João Pessoa, using 2D cut out and frame-by-frame animation. Fearful Lina scours her village for clay pots, holding treasures but trapping ghosts. A humorous supernatural series enrolling Brazilian northeastern folklore from creator-director Denis Sabino, inspired by stories his grandmother used to tell him when he was a child. 'The Evil Son,' ('O Filho Man, Dogzilla Studio) Inspired by Carol Sakura's graphic novel, set in Brazil's interior, the story of a family seemingly cursed by a history of violence. A 2D adult animation feature aimed at 16-year-olds and 'a story of psychological and social horror,' says Sakura. In development, set up at Tortuga Studios, whose 'Our Crazy Love' played Annecy's Contrechamp last year, and Curitiba-based Dogzilla, which oversaw art direction on Netflix animation series 'The Nutty Boy.' 'Formiga,' (Mono Animation) From São Paulo studio and production house Mono, behind Globinho's Annecy selected 'Pipas' and Disney's 'Pilar's Dairy.'An anime fantasy action adventure set in Kitekami, a world where kites come alive and two young friends from the outskirts, Naoki and Formiga, learn to deal with grief and goodbyes. 'Pupupu Bibibi,' (Lucas Peligrineti) The comedic adventures of Pupupu, a lively beetle, and Bibibi, a curious ladybug, encountering in the forest hungry spiders, two-headed worms, and real insects – colorful, extraordinary – from the Amazon. 'Fun, light-hearted, joyful, visually engaging,' says Peligrineti, a screenwriter, storyboarder and storyboard supervisor on 'Jorel's Brother' and 'Wake Up, Carlo!' 2019 and 2024. Intl. Emmy nominees. 'Spoonful of Stars,' ('Cozinha das Estrellas,' Flamma) Combining 2D and CGI and made for 3-5s, the story of three little shooting stars, named Ori, Bella and Zeta, who travel through outer space collecting magical ingredients in order to fulfil the wishes of children on planet Earth. Now in development, from Flamma founder Reynaldo Marchesini, Rio2C Kids Pitching organizer and artistic supervisor on 'Sítio do Picapau Amarelo,' Globo's first toon co-pro, with Mixer. Documentaries 'Atafona: Submerged City' (Kailash Cine) A doc feature in development charting the lives of the inhabitants of coastal town Atafona, just north of Rio de Janeiro, which is inexorably being swallowed by the sea. Kailash Cine ('Botafogo e Seus Herois Improvaveis') produces. 'Joelma, the Towering Inferno,' ('Joelma, the Towering Inferno,' Confeiteria de Cinema) In 1974, a terrible fire broke out in the Joelma Building in downtown São Paulo, killing 187 people. The series' screenwriter and director, Rubens Rewald – whose father designed the building's plumbing and electrical systems and was tried for the fire – tells the human stories and investigation of a symbol of a Brazil he argues, 'marked by greed, impunity and precariousness.' 'Naná, a Griot Around the World,' ('Naná, Um Griot Pelo Mundo,' Muk) A doc-feature on the career on Pernambuco-born Naná Vasconcelos. one of the world's greatest percussionists and a nine times Grammy Award winner who connected the sound of Afro-Brazilian roots to global music. In development, written and to be directed by Patricia Palumbo and Alessandra Dorgan, creators of 'Luiz Melodia – No Coração do Brasil.' 'Rogério Duprat: the Maestro (Beyond) Tropicália,' ('Rogério Duprat, O Maestro (Alem) da Tropicália,' Bravia Produçoes) A doc-feature portrait of the groundbreaking Duprat whose soundscapes helped shape the Tropicália movement, with Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso and David Byrne testifying to his lasting legacy. 'Tomorrow, Under the Sun,' ('Amanha, No Sol,' Coopas) Alair Gomes (1921-1992) was one of the pioneers of queer art in Brazil, best known for 'Symphony of Erotic Icons,' capturing young male nude bodies with slight variations. This doc-feature revisits the places he shot at – Carnaval, the beaches of Ipanema – while searching for one of his models and detailing his work methods, evolution and murder. From Rio-based Coopas, behind Intl. Emmy Award-nominated 'De Volta.' Reality TV Shows 'Animals in Disaster,' ('Animais em Desastre, Frontera Filmes) An action adventure series with volunteers in GRAD – the Animal Rescue Group in Disasters – braving floods, wildfires and collapses to save pets, wildlife and people in vulnerable situations. 'Are You Joking?' (Que Palhaçada É Essa'?, bigBonsai) To save his family from monotony and hyperconnected life, a clown father André Carvalho decides to take them on a journey through the wonderful world of the circus. A series which builds on the success of 'Que Palhaçada é Essa?' produced with HBO, which ran to two seasons. Produced by Deborah Osborn and Camila Machado's bigBonsai ('The Book of Delights') and billed as a comedic adventure docuseries. 'The Crime Game,' ('Crime em jogo,'Thais Costa Comunicaçao) In a reality series competition, seven amateur investigators race against time to solve recreated real-life homicides, with limited access to evidence, interrogating actors playing family members, suspects, and witnesses and analyzing physical clues and forensic reports. 'A format with strong franchise potential' for international editions, adapting historical crimes and specific cultural dynamics, say the producers. 'The Hustle Factor,' ('Um Leão Por Dia,' Baleial) A 10-episode competitive investment reality show where eight entrepreneurs from underserved communities compete with help of mentors for financial support to boost their own businesses. Confirmed mentors include Diogo Roberte, founder of PicPay – one of Brazil's biggest fintechs. From Felipe Berlinck, a former writer for Cartoon Network and creative director at O2 Filmes. More to come…. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
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O2 Filmes to Produce a Biopic of Samba Star Elza Soares: ‘If She Were American, She Would be Compared to Ella Fitzgerald'(EXCLUSIVE)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — Helmer Fernando Meirelles' O2 Filmes will produce a biopic of star Elza Soares, considered one of the greatest samba singers ever and a symbol of the struggle against racism and women discrimination in Brazil. Patricia Andrade ('Two Sons of Francisco') and Viviane Pistache are writing the screenplay, which is scheduled to go into production in the second half of 2026, said O2 Filmes partner and producer Andrea Barata Ribeiro, who founded the company with Meirelles and Paulo Morelli. More from Variety Rio2C, Latin America's Largest Creativity Event, Reaches Record Attendance as Rio de Janeiro Aims to Build as Brazil's Film and TV Capital Netflix Brazil Unveils a 'Sintonia' Spin-Off, Soccer Shows on Brazil 1970, Ronaldinho and Neymar and a Scripted Series on Brazil's Biggest Ever Radioactive Disaster Gullane+ Nabs Distribution Rights to Cannes Classic Doc 'Para Vigo Me Voy' About Legendary Brazilian Filmmaker Cacá Diegues Thais Araujo ('Aruanas'), a top film and telenovela star in Brazil, will play the leading role of Elza, Barata Ribeiro added. The life of Soares, who died at the age of 91 in 2022, is both tragic and glorious. She suffered from hunger in her childhood in a Rio slum and was abused by her first husband as a teenager. In 1953, when she was a widow struggling to feed her kids, she took part in a radio singing competition hosted by Ary Barroso, the most renowned of Brazilian composers at the time. Elza was so poorly dressed that Barroso jokingly asked 'Which planet you came from?', to which she immediately replied: 'From Planet Hunger.' But after hearing Elza singing a samba song with her powerful voice, Barroso proclaimed on air 'a star is born'. In 2019, then a big star, Elza launched her 34th album entitled 'Planet Hunger' and toured with a copy of the dress she wore in the radio contest. In spite of her astonishing talent, Elza endured up-and-downs in her career. Part of the society and media just could not accept the rise of a Black woman with a poor background to stardom. A drawback was when she got involved with legendary soccer player Garrincha in the 1960s. Instead of praising the marriage of two of the country's finest talents, the media blamed her for ruining Garrincha's previous marriage and for his decline as a player. Elza moved to Italy, but later resumed her career in Brazil, and consolidated herself as one of the country's top artists. 'Elza Soares was a phoenix. From extreme poverty to stardom, and then oblivion, the death of her sons, broken marriages, this Black woman with unparalleled talent survived and lived in a world that did not open doors to her easily. Her biography carried an enormous amount of drama and resilience,' said Barata Ribeiro. 'If she were American, she would be compared to Ella Fitzgerald.' O2 Filmes execs pack out panels at Rio2C. CEO Paulo Barcellos talks on a round table, IA and Creating Content – From Concept to Production on May 29; Igor Kuptas, director of sales-distribution company O2 Play, will receive Audiovisual and Games Startup Pitches, also on May 29; O2 Filmes head of development Gustavo Gontijo is a speaker on the round table Defying Limits: the Art of Innovation Without Losing an Essence, unspooling May 30. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
