MADAME SATÃ
Directed by: Karim Aïnouz.
Produced by: Isabel Diegues & Mauricio Andrade Ramos
Written by: Aïnouz.
Director of Photography: Walter Carvalho.
Edited by: Isabela Monteiro de Castro.
Music by: Sacha Amback & Marcos Suzano.
Released by: Wellspring.
Country of Origin: Brazil/France. 105 min. Not Rated.
With: Lázaro Ramos, Marcelia Cartaxo & Flavio Bauraqui.

Through a beaded curtain, João (Ramos) watches entranced a chanteuse, mimicking her voice and gestures. He is also at home in the rough trade/Jean Genet world of pederasts, whores and drug fiends in the slums of 1932 Rio de Janeiro. Here he’s a strutting street fighter, proudly declaring, “I was born an outlaw and that’s how I’m going to live.” While he believes that a real man uses his fists, he dreams of becoming a cabaret star. But blatant racism and homophobia literally rob him and beat him down. Based on an actual person, actor Ramos brings an extraordinary intensity and focus to this contradictory role, changing emotions and actions on a dime. His relationship with his roommate Laurita (Cartaxo), also a prostitute, has a calm intimacy. With her baby daughter, they share a gentle and playful day in a moving sequence. Another roommate, and partner in crime, is Taboo, the wonderfully fey Bauraqui. Even when Madame Satã’s pace slackens here and there, the actors remain engaging. The director, Karim Aïnouz, is one to watch. This being his feature debut, he’s already an accomplished director of actors. Kent Turner
July 9, 2003