João Emanuel Carneiro on Reuniting With ‘Brazil Avenue’ Star Adriana Esteves in ‘Crazy About You’ and ‘Unique’ Advantage of Brazilian Telenovelas (EXCLUSIVE)

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As a dedicated cinephile with a soft spot for the captivating world of Brazilian telenovelas, I can confidently say that I am thrilled about João Emanuel Carneiro‘s latest offering, “Crazy About You.” Having followed his career from the success of “Brazil Avenue,” I am eager to see how he and Adriana Esteves rekindle their creative partnership in this new story. The intrigue surrounding Mércia, a character especially written for Esteves, promises an enthralling journey that I can’t wait to embark on.

In Brazil, soap operas, often referred to as telenovelas, carry a significant cultural influence that’s unmatched. Among all time slots, none boasts the esteem of the 9 p.m. telenovela on Globo’s free-to-air network, which is the leading broadcasting force in Latin America. João Emanuel Carneiro, whose hit series “Brazil Avenue” ranked among the most successful 9 p.m. telenovelas in Brazil and globally in recent history, returns to this slot for a fifth time with “Crazy About You.

Carneiro’s recent work features a collaboration with Adriana Esteves, whose iconic portrayal of Carminha from “Brazil Avenue” continues to resonate in Brazilian pop culture. In this new tale, Esteves portrays Mércia, a character specifically crafted for her. The author shared exclusively with EbMaster that he rarely considers actors when writing, but Adriana is exceptional due to their creative partnership.

He goes on to say that he believes it’s intriguing for her to portray a submissive character, which is different from her well-known role as Carminha. I felt confident that Adriana could give Mércia a richness and complexity due to her remarkable ability to delve into characters. I was convinced she could uncover all of Mércia’s intricacies.

As a passionate cinephile, I was thrilled to learn that Globo showcased the premiere of “Crazy About You” at MIP Cancun – a major event catering to the Latin and Hispanic market. Isadora Filpi, from Globo’s Content Distributions & Partnerships, emphasized that this screening offered an “insight into the international audience’s receptiveness,” as well as “sparking discussions about potential collaborations to expand the reach of the telenovela to new viewership.

As a movie reviewer, I’ve come to appreciate the intriguing nature of Brazilian telenovelas, where scriptwriters stay just a few steps ahead of broadcast, engaging in a fast-paced game of catch-up during intense creative sprints that can span up to two years. This unique format allows authors to adapt their narratives to meet or even push the boundaries of audience expectations, as masterfully demonstrated by Carneiro.

The author emphasizes that writing continuously during an exhibition enhances audience engagement and maintains the storyline fresh and contemporary. This is a distinctive edge that Brazilian soap operas possess.

He admits he enjoys creating soap operas, understanding it requires a great deal of commitment. While films and television shows require less time, the prime-time telenovela holds a unique charm that keeps him coming back. Each format offers its own allure and hurdles, and he finds joy in trying out various opportunities within his profession. Writing for diverse platforms broadens his perspective as a writer.

A format with such unique cultural and technical aspects can sometimes be difficult to market globally, but Globo has consistently defied the belief that telenovelas are only successful in Brazil for many years. Most recently, they made history by selling the international adaptation rights of “Brazil Avenue” to Turkey’s Ay Yapım. This deal is unusual because it allows the Turkish company some flexibility to make changes, as long as they stick to the main plotlines of the original series.

Carneiro expresses his pride in helping spread Brazilian culture via telenovelas. He finds it rewarding that his narratives touch people across various cultures and nations. Telenovelas possess the ability to ignite discussions and shape society, not only within Brazil but also globally, reflecting the zeitgeist.

In contrasting “Crazy About You” and “Brazil Avenue”, both stories share some notable similarities, primarily focusing on Carneiro’s exploration of family dynamics and the intricate yin-yang relationship between two powerful women who are repeatedly bound together by fate. The main characters in “Crazy About You” consist of Viola (Gabz), Luma (Agatha Moreira), Mavi (Chay Suede) and Rudá (Nicolas Prattes). By casting a younger generation as the main protagonists, Carneiro aims to bring fresh talent alongside established names, believing this unique blend only enhances the narrative. This approach is less common in primetime telenovelas.

According to the writer, it’s crucial to provide room for fresh talent to thrive alongside established artists. This combination keeps the landscape of Brazilian television drama vibrant and ever-evolving. Fresh faces bring novel viewpoints and vitality, which are absolutely necessary.

Regarding how he handles the torrent of feedback from enthusiastic fans, particularly on social media platforms, Carneiro explains that he’s “become accustomed” to this situation and sees his role as similar to that of a “football coach.” He considers being subjected to public opinion as an inherent aspect of the game. Feedback from the audience is beneficial to him since it helps him fine-tune the storyline.

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2024-12-23 16:18