The documentary series is the first project out of an exclusive licensing deal between the major streamer and the singer's family to preserve Mendonça's memory and legacy On the 5th of November of 2021, Brazil came to a halt. In a tragedy that would lead to national mourning, the country’s most popular singer, Marília Mendonça, died in a plane crash that also took the lives of four other people. Now, almost five years after the shocking accident, Mendonça’s life and career will be seen on screen in great depth and intimacy for the first time thanks to Prime Video’s “Marília Mendonça – Sentimento Louco,” which had its world premiere at the Rio Film Festival.
Directed by Susanna Lira, “Sentimento Louco” (“Crazy Feeling,” in literal translation) is the first project to be launched at Amazon under a licensing deal with the singer’s family that allowed the major streamer unparalleled access to Mendonça’s personal archives, including the singer’s diaries, notebooks and phone. This deal is Brazil’s largest investment in preserving the memory of a national artist, and will also result in a fiction film telling the singer’s story. Titled “Marília,” the project stars Marina Versos, Klara Castanho, Sophia Valverde, Marcelo Serrado and João Guilherme and is set to premiere next year.
Speaking with Variety ahead of the series premiere in Rio, Amazon Studios’ creative executive Joy Ernanny calls their access to over 530,000 images, 50,000 videos and hundreds of written notes by sertanejo singer Marília an “incredible opportunity.” “We knew we had a very unique project in our hands,” she adds. That’s when we called Susanna.” Asked whether she felt any trepidation in tackling such an ambitious and sensitive project, Lira says she saw it as a “privilege” and didn’t feel “an ounce of hesitation.” “The only thing that leads to a certain apprehension is a sense of responsibility you have when tackling the life of someone so popular. There’s immense expectation from fans, and we need to portray this woman as she was.” “I’ve been a fan of Marília’s since 2017,” she says.
On the day of the accident, my daughter called me, saying I was the first person to come to her mind and how much I’d miss her. When I was invited to direct the series, I felt it was almost a divine calling.” Lira, who is a veteran director of screen biographies, says she believes they must “preserve their subject’s private lives, but also thread a very respectful line.” “It’s not only because we had access to this material, and the fact that Marília is no longer here, that we would throw caution out of the window,” she adds. The streamer is also hosting major premieres of the series across the country in capitals like Goiânia, Brazil’s capital of sertanejo, and Belo Horizonte.
Head of Brazil Local Originals Felipe Tewes says: “If we can create a space where they can spend time with Marília in different ways, then I think that we will have done right by the fans.” Tewes also emphasizes his belief that “Sentimento Louco” has high international potential. But we also believe that is what is going to make it universal. If we get that right, that’s what’s going to make it be watched across the world.” As for starting the series’ journey at the Rio Film Festival, Tewes says experiencing the energy and the passion fans have for Marília in a cinema room is really going to “capture why we are making all of these projects.” Lira adds she feels “emotional” about premiering at the festival, as it speaks to Mendonça’s trailblazing personality.
The series is directed by Susanna Lira, with Valentina Castello Branco, Gabriela Altaf and Fabiana Assis penning the script. The series will arrive on Prime Video globally on Oct. 16.
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