Madame Satã is the fascinating and exhilarating portrait of the exuberant and eccentric singer, dancer and crossdresser João Francisco dos Santos, a legendary and subversive figure in 1930s Rio de Janeiro. A rebel and champion to the poor, João was at the centre of a lively underworld of pimps, prostitutes, homosexuals, samba musicians and other outcasts. His quick temper and untraditional lifestyle tends to attract a good deal of trouble, including run-ins with the justice system. Lázaro Ramos plays this challenging role with a combination of grace and animal intensity.

By no means a traditional biopic, this is a dynamic and vibrating ode to music, life and the freedom to be who you are. A riveting debut film, winner of many international accolades, Madame Satã brought Aïnouz to the attention of the world cinema community. cf

Meet Karim Aïnouz in conversation:

13th October at 8 PM, Filmens Hus
14th October at 9 PM, Ringen 2


Original title Madame Satã

Year 2002

Director Karim AÏNOUZ

Screenplay Karim AÏNOUZ, Marcelo GOMES, Sérgio MACHADO, Mauricio ZACHARIAS

Cinematography Walter CARVALHO

Producer Marc BEAUCHAMPS, Isabel DIEGUES, Vincent MARAVAL, Mauricio Andrade RAMOS, Donald RANVAUD, Juliette RENAUD, Walter SALLES

Cast Lázaro RAMOS, Marcelia CARTAXO, Flavio BAURAQUI

Production Company VideoFilmes, Dominant 7, Lumière, Wild Bunch

Runtime 1h 45m

Format 35mm

Links IMDb