Madame Satã

• Year: 2002
• Country: Brazil
• Director: Karim Aïnouz
• Starring: Lázaro Ramos, Marcelia Cartaxo, Flavio Bauraqui

Rather disappointing biopic of João Francisco dos Santos, aka Madame Satã, a transvestite, performer, thief and later convicted murderer from Rio De Janeiro. The film takes place in 1932, about 10 years before dos Santos’ mythical Madame Satã persona was created and focuses on his struggles living in the slums of Rio along with prostitutes, hustlers and his relationship with his on/off lover Renatinho. Unfortunately, the film does little in giving us any type of context for the time and place, or the main character’s back story. Sure, the film itself gives us the needed backstory for the creation of Madame Satã – but if you don’t know anything about Madame Satã, the film just gives you the portrait of a very angry yet passionate person who, you are told, later becomes important. We are left caring very little about what goes on, instead focusing on atmosphere, decor and an astonishing performance by Lázaro Ramos. You’ll finish the film learning very little and instead going on Wikipedia to fill in the gaps.