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      Madame Satã

      Released Jul 9, 2003 1h 45m Biography Drama List
      60% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 81% Audience Score 1,000+ Ratings In the 1930s slums of Rio de Janeiro, João Francisco dos Santos (Lázaro Ramos) is many things -- the son of black slaves, an ex-con who spent more than two decades in prison, a gangster, a homosexual, and patriarch to a surrogate family of social outcasts. João seeks an outlet of expression through a cabaret act, where he cultivates the transvestite stage persona Madame Satã and becomes a revolutionary icon for society's neglected during a time of upheaval in post-abolition Brazil. Read More Read Less
      Madame Satã

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      Critics Consensus

      Madame Satã offers an occasionally absorbing look at a pivotal figure in Brazilian culture, even if its subject deserves a more consistent biopic.

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      Critics Reviews

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      Liam Lacey Globe and Mail Often captivating. Rated: 2.5/4 Nov 7, 2003 Full Review Erik Lundegaard Seattle Times A myopic, histrionic picture that never lets us know why this legendary character is legendary, and worthy of our attention. Rated: 2/4 Oct 31, 2003 Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle While the depiction of the Lapa district and the details of repressed homosexual life in Rio 10 years ago is always intriguing, we come away learning very little about the individual known as Madame Sat. Rated: 2.5/5 Oct 27, 2003 Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Madame Sata portrays a real-life Brazilian folk hero, a popular criminal and minor cabaret star who, while certainly no Robin Hood, did capture the turbulent spirit of a corrupt frontier society where people of color were relegated to the margins... Jun 12, 2020 Full Review Donald J. Levit ReelTalk Movie Reviews The film's non-dramatic but exhilarating finale is what clings most memorably. Sep 6, 2006 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 2/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Lázaro Ramos tour de force performance as legendary bohemian icon Madame Satã carries the film even in its less inspired moments. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Lázaro Ramos delivers a ferocious performance in this absorbing character study that dives into the world of an outcast to explore matters like poverty, race, gender and sex, even though it feels a bit incomplete and superficial as it doesn't go deep enough into its character as it should. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Confronting, rancid, tantalising, with sex you can almost smell. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Gritty depiction of a Brazilian slum in the 1930s. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Even if you do not like the characters, this is a REAL movie with REAL people and it is an Oscar worthy film. I submitted this one to Flixster after watching late one night. I was amazed at the marvelous acting. You must see this one! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Captivated? Not really. Didn't sink in with me too well. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Madame Satã

      Madame Satã (2002) Madame Satã (2002) Madame Satã (2002) Madame Satã (2002) A scene from the film MADAME SATA. A scene from the film MADAME SATA. View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In the 1930s slums of Rio de Janeiro, João Francisco dos Santos (Lázaro Ramos) is many things -- the son of black slaves, an ex-con who spent more than two decades in prison, a gangster, a homosexual, and patriarch to a surrogate family of social outcasts. João seeks an outlet of expression through a cabaret act, where he cultivates the transvestite stage persona Madame Satã and becomes a revolutionary icon for society's neglected during a time of upheaval in post-abolition Brazil.
      Director
      Karim Aïnouz
      Distributor
      Wellspring Cinema
      Production Co
      Dominant 7
      Genre
      Biography, Drama
      Original Language
      Portuguese (Brazil)
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jul 9, 2003, Wide
      Release Date (DVD)
      Mar 1, 2007
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $198.2K
      Runtime
      1h 45m
      Sound Mix
      Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo