For those who enjoy a soap opera, Brazil is fertile ground, as the overwhelming majority of general TV channels in the country transmit, on average, four soap operas daily. Invariably, much of this material eventually goes around the world, being bought and broadcast in other countries. One of the most permeable markets for Brazilian teledramaturgy is, of course, my country, due to its cultural and linguistic proximity. I watched "Roque Santeiro" the first time it was reprised in Portugal, which happened around 1994. I came back to watch it some years later in 2016.
The plot was written by Dias Gomes and takes place in the fictional city of Asa Branca, famous after a local altar boy named Roque Santeiro, murdered while defending the church of a famous thief named Navalhada, begin to be responsible for several miracles. The fame of the local saint begins to spread and the city grows and enriches at the expense of tourism and the profits obtained from this religious phenomenon. But what will happen if, after all, Roque Santeiro has never died and reappears there? The plot introduces and discusses complex subjects in a light and fun way, such as hypocrisy, false myths or religious phenomena invented/fueled by financial interest. Another issue that will be addressed in the plot is the impotence of the authorities before the power of some individuals, who can do what they want without nothing happening to them.
Jose Wilker is one of the most notable actors present. He is going to give life to Roque, obtaining his consecration as a dramatic actor. He was incredible. Another great actor who gave immense personality to this soap opera was Lima Duarte, who gives life to the villain, Sinhozinho Malta, the city's boss. He's not necessarily a bad person, he's very funny and has a very big heart, a very human and caring side... but you better not to cross his path, in order to avoid potentially fatal accidents! Another iconic character of this soap opera is Viúva Porcina, played by Regina Duarte. She's the official lover of Sinhozinho Malta but her fame and local prestige were built by posing as the suffering widow of late Roque Santeiro, whom she never really knew. In fact, being a widow doesn't match her, as she cultivates a very flashy and showy taste, whether in her clothes and jewelry or in her home decor. Apart from this bizarre trio (a saint who is not a saint, a kind-hearted villain and a widow who has never even been married), this soap opera has other very interesting characters: Lídia Brondi gave life to Tânia, the rebellious daughter of Sinhozinho; Armando Bógus played Zé das Medalhas, the city's main merchant, who made a fortune by selling souvenirs of Roque Santeiro; Ary Fontoura, in the role of Florindo Bee, is another of the city's powerful authorities, as it's invertebrate Mayor; Cláudio Cavalcanti gave life to the modernist Father Albano, spiritual leader of the poor suburb of Vila Miséria, while Paulo Gracindo played the conservative Father Hipólito. Fábio Júnior played the promiscuous Roberto Mathias and Elizângela gave life to his obsessive and jealous wife, Marilda. Finally, its worth talking about Maurício do Valle, who gave life to Delegado Feijó, the cinematographic director Jerson do Vale, played by Ewerton de Castro, Nelson Dantas, who played Beato Salú and Yoná Magalhães, who gave life to the modernist and iconoclastic Matilde.
Thought as a social and political satire, it was even censored during the Brazilian military dictatorship. Maybe it was better this way: ten years later, it can finally be remade and presented with a luxury cast, immortal characters and such a remarkable story that, even today, its remembered. So, I dare to think that this Brazilian soap opera can even be considered one of the best ever made.
