RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Anticipation was palpable at the Rio Film Festival, where Prime Video’s highly awaited series “Tremembé” premiered to a full house on a rainy Wednesday evening. This five-part series, set to debut globally on Oct. 31, delves into life within the notorious prison of the same name, known for housing some of Brazil’s most infamous criminals. The series is part of a larger international initiative for Brazil, which featured three shows showcased at this year’s Berlinale Series and is making a significant impact at the upcoming Mipcom.
Last year marked Prime Video Brazil’s initial foray into true crime with “The Park Maniac,” spotlighting one of the country’s most notorious serial killers. “Tremembé” represents a bold step forward for the platform’s commitment to presenting a genuine Brazilian perspective on the genre. Renowned writer-director Vera Egito, famous for works like “He, She, They” and “Elis,” helms the creative direction of the series, which draws from the biographical writings of journalist Ulisses Campbell. Campbell co-writes the series alongside Egito, Juliana Rosenthal, Thays Berbe, and Maria Isabel Iorio, with production by Paranoid. An exclusive image from the series is showcased below:
The cast features top-tier Brazilian talent, headlined by superstar Marina Ruy Barbosa, known for her roles in telenovelas and her growing presence at international events. “Tremembé” is her first endeavor following the end of a significant contract with Globo that spanned over two decades, with roles since she was just eight. In the series, Barbosa stars as Suzane Von Richthofen, convicted for the brutal and highly publicized murder of her parents.
In an interview with Variety during the premiere, Barbosa expressed her enthusiasm about showcasing Brazilian projects to an international audience. “I feel immense pride in this moment,” she stated. “Being part of ‘Tremembé’ excited me as it presents a unique challenge as an actor, enabling me to explore the intricacies of such a complex character.” The actress highlighted the contrast between her previous work in telenovelas and the opportunity to engage deeply with a series narrative. “This format allows for more time to prepare and collaborate closely with my director.”
Barbosa noted the extensive international reach of her work, recalling her surprise at how her telenovelas resonated with audiences abroad. “It’s incredible to think my characters could connect with someone in India. Now, with this series, the exposure is even broader. The genre of true crime has wide appeal, and I believe there’s something special about delving into the psychological aspects of such characters, marking a significant milestone in my career.”
Julia Priolli, Amazon MGM Studios’ head of scripted content for Brazil, recognizes the international promise of “Tremembé” but emphasizes the project was designed with a “hyperlocal” approach. “Our aim was to resonate with domestic audiences first,” she explained. “We’re confident that when it succeeds here, it can thrive everywhere. The stories within ‘Tremembé’ resonate deeply with Brazilian viewers, drawing from elements that are part of our cultural framework.” Priolli expressed excitement about launching the series at the festival as part of a strategic plan that has seen previous successful premieres.
When asked about the potential for expanding the “Tremembé” narrative into a franchise, given the notorious figures within the prison, Priolli indicated they are focused on gauging the first season’s reception before considering future directions. “We are thrilled about the upcoming release and understand that audience feedback will inform our next steps.”
Egito described the challenge of fitting numerous notable stories into just five episodes as “extremely complex,” having spent two years alongside her team on the writing process. “It felt incredibly intense, like a huge puzzle to put together,” she said, emphasizing that they never assumed the audience would be familiar with the characters’ backgrounds. “These individuals are convicted criminals; our focus was on depicting their daily lives. By diving into the complexities of their existence in prison, we wanted to ensure the audience retains awareness of their crimes.”
Egito pointed out the importance of not further victimizing the families affected by the crimes depicted in the series. “Many of the victims’ relatives are still alive, and we approached the portrayal with great sensitivity,” she noted. “We created a concept where we avoided showing any violence against the victims, aiming to maintain the tension of the narrative while safeguarding their dignity, and I’m proud to say we accomplished this.”
Reflecting on Brazil’s flourishing audiovisual landscape, Priolli remarked that the environment is “extremely fertile” and that Prime Video is fully embracing the opportunities presented. “We’re genuinely excited about our projects; Brazil’s diverse culture is unique. ‘Tremembé’ is a distinctive series, and such stories could only be told here,” she asserted. Egito echoed this sentiment, noting the success of novelas on the global stage and expressing a desire to capture that magic with a cinematic flair. “It truly seems like a winning formula.”
Barbosa commended fellow Brazilian talents Fernanda Torres and Wagner Moura for their strides in achieving international recognition through projects like Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here” and Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent.” “It’s beautiful to see Fernanda shining globally, and Wagner’s following in her footsteps is inspiring. We must cherish our unique storytelling to demonstrate to the world that we can produce exceptional cinema and television. Gaining international acclaim for a vision created in our language is profoundly powerful.”
