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Madame Satã

Released Jul 9, 2003 1h 45m Biography Drama List
60% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 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.
Madame Satã

What to Know

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

View All (43) Critics Reviews
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

View All (63) audience reviews
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 Audience Member assez etrange notamment en raison de la nature des personnages et du caractere assez lunatique de "Madame Sata". Bon jeu de jambe pour la Capoeira ;) Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Madame Satã

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Cast & Crew

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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
Producer
Marc Beauchamps, Isabel Diegues, Vincent Maraval, Mauricio Andrade Ramos, Donald Ranvaud, Juliette Renaud, Walter Salles
Distributor
Wellspring Cinema
Production Co
Dominant 7
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
Brazilian Portuguese
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