Every June 17th, we celebrate the National Cinema Day and nothing is fairer than to value national productions about strong Brazilian women. Many times, we give a lot of attention to foreign personalities and movies and we forget the incredible things we have in our own country. Besides, we know countless works about men’s lives, but how often do we watch or catch a film on TV showing about women as strong and important as them? Not many. And that’s why we separate stories from historical Brazilian women that everyone should know! Check them out on the list below:
- Hebe – A Estrela do Brasil (2019)
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The plot of the film makes a cut in the life of Hebe Camargo in the 1980s. Unlike most films about important personalities, this one does not trace her trajectory from childhood to death, but highlights the period when she exerted the greatest influence on Brazilian society. Brazil was in a military dictatorship between 1964 and 1985, when Hebe was a national network presenter and defied the censorship imposed by the regime. The film also follows the country’s political transition to a democratic state. The entire movie is available on Telecine Play, but you can watch it by chapters on Globoplay!
- Marielle – The Documentary (2018)
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Marielle Franco was a black, lesbian councilwoman, born and raised in Complexo da Maré, a favela in Rio de Janeiro. Her struggle consisted in defending minorities and denouncing armed militias in Rio. In March 2018, she and her driver, Anderson Gomes, were murdered. In a clear attempt to silence her, whoever killed her has not yet been framed and the crime remains unsolved. The documentary shows Marielle’s trajectory until the day she died and the unfolding of the case that shocked the country. You can watch it on Globoplay streaming.
- My Name Is Now, Elza Soares (2014)
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The director Elizabete Martins Campos accompanied the singer Elza Soares for a period of three years. The result was a documentary outside of conventional standards, which explores Elza’s intimacy, as well as her pain and past. The production also explores the references and sensations that make up Elza’s art, which have a great Brazilian cultural identity and influenced an entire society. The documentary first launch was in 2014, at Festival do Rio, but in 2016 it was released at Netflix catalogue. Now, it is also available as a paid content on YouTube.
- Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business (1995)
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This documentary narrates the life and career of Carmen Miranda. It traces her trajectory from her roots and rise in Brazil to establishing herself as a Hollywood star. This Helena Solberg‘s production also addresses her tragic death on her return to Brazil and includes interviews with people close to Carmen, such as her sister and first boyfriend. This documentary, in addition to telling the story of an colorful and iconic female figure, reminds us of the importance of extolling and honoring the work of a women film director. So, what are you waiting for? Go watch it!
- Zuzu Angel (2006)
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Zuzu Angel was a Brazilian designer who became internationally known during the Brazilian military dictatorship. When her son, who was part of an organization opposed to the military regime, disappeared, Zuzu Angel dedicated his life to looking for him, taking the case to the United States and the international media. She became an example of struggle and a symbol of one of the most dramatic periods in Brazilian history. The documentary follows along with her complicated trajectory in search of her missing son, who was assassinated by the state. You can watch it on the streaming platform Looke or download it on iTunes!
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The article above was edited by Helena Cardoso.
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