“I wanted to talk about the phase of my mother that moves me most”, reveals Pedro Freire, director of Malu

Maluwhich is showing in Brazilian cinemas, after being successful at the 26th edition of the Rio Festival and the 48th São Paulo International Film Festival, was born from the director’s idea Pedro Freire in telling the story of her own mother, Malu Rocha (1947-2013), a notable actress on the Brazilian cultural scene.

In the film, Malu Rocha comes to life from the actress’s strong performance Yara de Novaes and the story reveals the comings and goings of three generations of strong women trying to understand themselves despite their complexities.

debut feature by Freirethe news came with the awards for Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Actress (Yara de Novaes) and Best Supporting Actress (split between Carol Duarte and Juliana Carneiro da Cunha) of the Rio Festival and, to celebrate, we spoke with the three award-winning actresses, the director and the actor Attila Beewho is also in the cast of Malu. Check out the full interview below:

Let’s start by talking about the origin of Malu. When did the idea for the film begin to develop?

Pedro Freire:The first time I thought about making a film about my mother was in June 2013, during her wake at Teatro Oficina, in São Paulo. The wake was something unique and beautiful; We, my sisters and I, organized everything with great care. We painted her coffin with glitter and gave guests marijuana joints and wine as it was something she loved. That atmosphere made me realize that I needed to tell her story.

And after that start, what was the script development process like?

PF:I spent about five years thinking about whether to make a film about her youth or about her older years, which were more harrowing and emotional. It was the influence of the film Aquariusfrom Kléber Mendonça Filhowhich made me decide to approach this most difficult phase of her life, the one that moves me the most. I started writing and rewriting the script, and Tati [Tatiana Leite, produtora] was fundamental in this process, helping with notes and feedback. She read all ten versions I wrote!

Tatiana, can you tell us more about your contribution to this process?

Tatiana:It was an incredible challenge. THE Pedro I was so emotionally involved that I tried to help shape this story. He already had a clear idea, but the script went through several rewrites, and I was witness to how the project evolved over the years.

Pedro, what was the fundraising process like and the impact of the political context on the film?

PF:The script matured during a period of political instability in Brazil, which made financing difficult. It was only in 2021 that we got a notice from RioFilme, which was exciting. Defending the project in an oral presentation was a moment of accomplishment; I realized there was incredible strength in the story we wanted to tell. When I sent the film to the Sundance Festival, it was a way of understanding how the international audience would see this narrative that was so personal and, at the same time, so Brazilian.

Yara, did you already know Malu Rocha before playing this role? What was the process of building the character like?

Yara de Novaes:I knew the Malu very little, in fact. I had seen some of her soap operas and remembered her, mainly because she did soap operas in the 1970s and 1980s. I thought she was very similar to Sonia Braga. The construction process was very interesting. THE Pedrowho was my director on a soap opera, invited me to this project and brought the script. He stayed with me for a day and night, talking about Malu and the importance of the film.

And how was the preparation for rehearsals?

YN:We spent three weeks in a rehearsal room, improvising and understanding the main action. I met the Juliana Carneiro da Cunha in this process and it was a moment of discovery. Her presence was fascinating; It was almost a myth to me. She was absolutely receptive, which made everything easier and faster.

Juliana, can you share what the experience was like working with Yara and Pedro?

Juliana Carneiro:It was incredible! THE Pedro filmed the entire process, which brought a very special dynamic. In the first two or three days, he was a little desperate because he had invited theater actresses and the approach was very theatrical. But, little by little, we adjusted this. The rehearsal brought us together and created a trust that was fundamental for the film.

Átila, you had an important role in the film. What was it like building your character, Tibira?

Attila Bee:THE Pedro gave me the freedom to insert a theatrical performance into the presentation of the Tibira. The text I used is from a show called “Joãozinho da Gomeia, the King of Candomblé”. The connection with figures like Madame Satan helped me build this character. I have always admired the figure of Madame Satan and these energies were definitely present in Tibira.

Pedro, you mentioned that Attila’s work was one of the reasons you chose him. What did you see in him?

PF: Átila’s monologue in “Joãozinho da Gomeia” deeply impressed me. I knew I needed to work with him, and his energy brought a unique dimension to Tibira. Madame Satã, without a doubt, was an essential reference in the creation of this character.

Carol, what was it like sharing the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Rio Festival with Juliana?

Carol Duarte:I never imagined sharing a prize with the great Juliana Carneiro da Cunha. I was really surprised. For me, it was a huge honor, especially because I have always had a deep respect and admiration for both of them. [Juliana e Yara]. The experience on set was very loving and affectionate. We had challenging moments, but always with a lot of complicity between us.

Could you share a special moment from the set?

Carol Duarte:There’s a Cockroach scene that was very difficult to do. It was a mix of serious and comical, and sometimes it became a joke between us. Juliana has a unique way of bringing the comic to the surface, and this scene required a lot of concentration.

JC:Exactly! There was a complicity between us, which felt like we already knew each other from other lives. That made the difference. THE Pedro I always filmed, capturing the essence of our rehearsals. What I remember most about this period was the happiness we felt together.

YN:Undoubtedly. They were days of happiness, and now, after two years, we are reliving that joy with the recognition of our work. It’s like sipping a happy milkshake!

Rolling Stone Brazil film special

Cinema is the theme of the new printed special from Rolling Stone Brazil. In a magazine dedicated to lovers of the seventh art, we interviewed Francis Ford Coppolawho turns 85 amid the release of his new film, Megalopolisa bold and million-dollar undertaking financed by himself.

Unshakable in the face of controversial reactions to the novelty, which took around 40 years to get off the ground, the filmmaker defends the cinema industry’s boldness in being creative and opens up, in plain Portuguese, about Brazil’s influence in his new film: “Alegria” .

The special also features conversations with Walter Salles, Fernanda Torres and Selton Mello on I’m Still Herea chat about soundtracks with the maestro João Carlos Martinsan exclusive list with the 100 best films in history (50 national, 50 international), another list with the 101 greatest soundtracks in the history of cinema, a warm-up for Oscar 2025 and the release radar of Globoplay, Globo Filmes, O2 Play and O2 Filmes for the coming months.

The movie special Rolling Stone Brazil It hits newsstands in November, but can now be pre-purchased at the Perfil publisher’s store for R$29.90, with shipping starting on November 6th.

READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE AT:“I wanted to talk about the phase of my mother that moves me the most”reveals Pedro Freire, director of Malu

What has been the best film of 2024 so far? Vote for your favorite!

• The Snow Society
• Anatomy of a Fall
• Poor Creatures
• The Boy and the Crane
• Dune: Part 2
• All of Us Strangers
• Godzilla and Kong: The New Empire
• Civil War
• Inside Out 2
• Bandit: Number One
• Deadpool & Wolverine
• This Is How It Ends
• The Substance
• Joker: Delirium for Two
• The Girl of the Time
• Smile 2
• The Room Next Door
• Venom: The Last Round
• Megalopolis
• Terrifier 3