From the road to the screens: as “Caramel” has become a film with Rafa Vitti and a message on the adoption of animals

From the road to the screens: as “Caramel” has become a film with Rafa Vitti and a message on the adoption of animals


Transformed into a national symbol, Caramel Mutt is the protagonist of the new Netflix film; For “Estadão”, Rafa Vitti and the director Diego Freitas speak of the trajectory of the feature and encourage the rescue of street animals

The first scene of Caramelmovie Netflix This brings a dog Mutt as a fascinating protagonist, is inspired by the story of how the director Diego Freitas He found his great friend Paçoca. “I saw it in an abandoned ad, in a cardboard box on a free lot,” recalls the director in chat with Estadão. “The film is very inspired by her and for her.”

The tribute already summarizes the spirit of the film, a dramatic comedy on a dog full of energy that enters the life of a boy who lives for work and helps him to rethink his priorities. Full of emotions for those who are passionate about animals, the feature that debuts on Wednesday 8th, has recruited a connoisseur of the cause to play with PeanutCaramel interpreter dog: Rafa Vitti.

“I think this film has been the greatest challenge I’ve ever had, not only because I am contrasting 90% of the time with a dog. This is very interesting for me because it always brings me new stimuli, there is no way to repeat. I love working through this perspective of what could happen and this turns out to be happening when we have a dog on the scene”, he explains.

Better known for soap it operates as Land and passion, Beyond illusion AND Owner of meof TV Globo, Rafa Plays Pedro, a laborious chef who is about to obtain a promotion when he receives a diagnosis that transforms his vision of the world. At the same time he has to face the uncertainty of the aggressive treatment, an abandoned dog with spare energy insists on entering your life, starting a friendship that promises to be radically transformative.

“This story crosses me a lot”, confesses the actor, speaking of the challenges of finding the emotional balance of a story that mixes the comedy of a dog disturbed by the drama of his character’s life.

“Diego was very sensitive to the development of this story as a result of an experience he has. I really wanted to participate in this project and I was challenged, I was able to develop various skills and consciences. The film not only confuses with Who Watches. [das filmagens] And the fact that I am here [em São Paulo] Only did he make me think much more than natural. It was almost therapeutic, a very profound process of respect and empathy. “

For Freitas, also responsible for the new success of the public After the universeFinding the right tone for the film was a bigger challenge than the guidance of a few dozen dogs. After all, while the feature has to face Peter’s disease and the difficulties imposed by the diagnosis, he must find space for the lightness of the caramel adventures.

“We mixed two genres because I think this is a bit the reflection of our life”, the director confides. “We wanted to demonstrate that having a diagnosis that can sometimes be overwhelming in your life, is not just an infinite depression, it is not a death sentence. There is a lot of life while you are alive and life crosses these ups and downs.”

Those who see them on the scene can believe they are veterans with years of experience in the face of cameras, but this is not the case of everyone, not even the main star itself. In a classic situation of “life imitates art”, the Peanuts have a story similar to that of Caramel: the actor was also found on the streets and saved by his tutor – The Animal Coach Luis Stars.

Creator of The Animal Stars, a space that works as a training school, agency and pet hotels, Luis was largely responsible for the formation of dogs and animal welfare in the set of Caramel. Passionate about the profession since he was 7 years old, according to himself – his family, after all, is an veteran in the area – the coach was selected to participate in the project after a producer’s search with professionals from all over Brazil, and his great challenge of the first moment was to find the great protagonist.

“We started a survey, we visited the NGOs, we have contacts of veterinarians, friends and coaches throughout Brazil. [Os produtores] They sent some references, but until then we had alone and we didn’t know how to proceed. He was not just finding the protagonist, it was to find six similar ones, “he explains, since the main dog would need stuntman.

It was five months of many shelters and photos received until you find it as without pretensions as possible.

“In April [de 2024] A caramel boy appears to me, sitting in our place there in Santo André, “recalls Luis”. Jehovah, my brother, called me and I said: “Open the door and put it in”. Jehovah put it inside and sent photos and videos. I sent it to Netflix, but they found it small. It was a four month old puppy and we needed an adult, as filming would start in September. I said: “No, but it’s different”.

Although the producers could not convince the first contact, Luis was confident and immediately began training work with peanuts. A month later, when he finally received the “yes” of the team, the dog evolved and including commands with peace of mind.

“If you give a role or something like that, the dog will destroy. He does not do it. He destroyed but in a different way,” he explains. “He would take a roll of toilet paper, destroyed and looked at us. As if he asked, ‘Is this how do you want or take it on the other side?’ You played a pillow for him, he has just been named that we have appointed.

After the challenge of finding the star, it was time to find his stuntman, but the situation was not easy either; Many dogs, saved from the streets or unhealthy situations, have arrived traumatized.

“Either the ear was different, or he was a very frightened dog. I see candies to date because so much I received. Derek, who was the first stuntman, was afraid of the death of man. It took two months to rehabilitate him. My assistant, Victoria, started being with him and created such an affinity that in the end adopted him.”

On the set, the animals had a rigorous accompaniment of a completely dedicated professional team to guarantee their well -being, with veterinarian, nutritionist, physiotherapist and even gym and swimming.

Overall, 80 dogs played in the film and alternated on the set during the newspaper. “A few days we used 30, in the other 50, and we exchanged according to their affinity” explains Luis. All the dogs were carefully monitored by the coaches and medical staff and most came directly from the shelters, saved by both Luis and his team and other protectors.

“We had 12 professional coaches and 12 coaches assistants in this project, as well as veterinarians and the rest of the team,” says Luis. “Our concern was always with the well -being of dogs. So much so that in most scenes they are only having fun. Jehovah was always there and the dogs felt at ease.”

Brazilian hero

In addition to the post on the Brazilian symbol together with classics such as cheese bread and caipirinha, the Mutt caramel reaches streaming with the crowd that, in a large platform, the film helps to improve the adoption and rescue of abandoned animals. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that, only in Brazil, there are more than 30 million animals on the streets, subject to abuse and hunger.

“Everyone I talked about the film, from the protectors, saw their eyes shine,” he shares Luis. “I have no doubts that many people will look at this part [da adoção]. You can have a good boy, even a friend like him, and in the NGOs there are many interesting guys like peanuts. “

“I think the film is already causing this impact,” adds Vitti. “From the moment they said that the film would be made and the very initiative to shoot a film on the caramel within such an environment, which will come all over the world … I have no doubts that he will encourage many people to rethink when you want to buy a dog”, cheer up the actor “, I think I’m going to the refuge, maybe I will find a great partner who will give me love,”

Source: Terra

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