Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Lázaro Ramos | ... | João Francisco dos Santos / Madame Satã | |
Marcelia Cartaxo | ... | Laurita | |
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Flavio Bauraqui | ... | Tabu |
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Fellipe Marques | ... | Renatinho |
Renata Sorrah | ... | Vitória | |
Emiliano Queiroz | ... | Amador | |
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Giovana Barbosa | ... | Firmina |
Ricardo Blat | ... | José | |
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Guilherme Piva | ... | Álvaro |
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Marcelo Valle | ... | Delegado |
Floriano Peixoto | ... | Gregório | |
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Gero Camilo | ... | Agapito |
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Gláucio Gomes | ... | Gordo no Danúbio (Fat man) |
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Orã Figueiredo | ... | Policial |
Karine Teles |
A story inspired by the life of one of the most remarkable figures in Brazilian popular culture, João Francisco dos Santos (1900-1976). In turn, bandit, transvestite, street fighter, brothel cook, convict and father to seven adopted children, dos Santos--better known as Madame Satã--was also a notorious gay performer who pushed social boundaries in a volatile time. The story begins in 1932, in Rio de Janeiro's bohemian Lapa district, when João Francisco is about to achieve his dream: becoming a stage star. In the sordid yet lively world of Lapa--populated by pimps, prostitutes and other denizens of Rio's underworld--João battles the streets and presides over a surrogate family that includes the charming prostitute Laurita, and her baby daughter whom everyone dotes on; the flamboyant hustler Taboo; João's teenage lover, Renatinho; and Amador, the owner of the Blue Danube club which is their second home. It is at the Blue Danube that street tough João begins to sing, and the mythic drag... Written by Sujit R. Varma
When I was a boy, Madame Satã was a legend in Rio de Janeiro. João Francisco dos Santos was born in the turn of the century, and was famous for being a very controversial person: homosexual, black, poor, artist, a very violent and excellent fighter and a symbol of Lapa, where he lived. This movie is the dramatization of the ten years before the creation by João Francisco dos Santos of the character Madame Satã, inspired in the 1930 Cecil B. DeMille's Madam Satan (unfortunately, this movie has not been released in Brazil and I have never had the chance to see it). 'Madame Satã' is another great example of the marvelous moment of the Brazilian Cinema. The direction is very precise, using old parts in the city of Rio de Janeiro specially in Lapa and Santa Teresa and a high level photography to recreate life in the 30's in Old Rio. The cast is fantastic, highlighting the performance of the stunning Lázaro Ramos, who is also the leader actor of the excellent and very recommended 'O Homem Que Copiava'. The story, as I previously mentioned, is limited to a short period before the raise of Madame Satã to the scenario of Rio de Janeiro and is very realistic, inclusive showing the homosexual activity of João Francisco. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): 'Madame Satã'