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O Saci (film)
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Wikipedia article
'O Saci' is a 1951 Brazilian children-family fantasy film, directed by Rodolfo Nanni, written by Nanni with a story by Arthur Neves, and based on the novel of same name written by Monteiro Lobato.[http://www.fmauriciograbois.org.br/portal/noticia.php?id_sessao=12&id_noticia=12293 Fundao Maurcio Grabois :: O Saci (1951) (Vdeos)] Noted for being the first family film to be ever made in Brazil, it is also the first theatrical 'Stio do Picapau Amarelo' adaptation. Introducing young actress Olga Maria as Emlia and Paulo Matozinho as the title character Saci, it adapts the novel in which Pedrinho (Lvio Nanni) demonstrates interest in capturing the supernatural, one-legged mulatto boy figure, the Saci, inhabiting the nearby virgin forest. Curiously, in 1954 the film won the Saci Award, that rewarded the best films of the decade.[http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/impresso,o-saci-festeja-60-anos,795528,0.htm O Saci festeja 60 anos - cultura - versaoimpressa - Estado]
Plot
At the peaceful Stio do Picapau Amarelo (Yellow Woodpecker Ranch), two kids, Pedrinho and Lcia, and Lcia's talkative and rough doll Emlia, attempt to capture the Saci, advised by the wise Uncle Barnab. After Lcia is cursed by the demonic, reptilian witch Cuca, the brave and bold Pedrinho starts a journey through the forest with the Saci, in order to make the evil hag bring the girl back.
Cast
*Paulo Matozinho as the Saci - While Monteiro Lobato describes the Saci as a tiny, black gnome or elf in the novel, the film uses the one-legged boy version of the myth.
*Lvio Nanni as Pedrinho
*Aristia Paula de Souza as Lcia
*Olga Maria as Emlia
*Maria Rosa Ribeiro as Mrs. Benta
*Otvio Arajo as Uncle Barnab
*Benedita Rodrigues as Aunt Nastcia
*M. Meneguelli as Cuca - The old hag version of the myth replaces the reptilian, demonic aspect look of Cuca, featured in the novel and in every ensuing version of the story.
*Iara von Tressler as Yara (as Yara Trexler)
*Meninos de Ribeiro Bonito as the Sacis
Production and reception
Rodolfo Nanni wrote, produced and directed the film (the very first of the children-family genre in Brazil) at the age of 28, after returning from a cinema-studying season in Paris. His niece Lvio Nanni portrays Pedrinho, following some casting auditions. Extras credited as "Meninos de Ribeiro Bonito" ("Boys from Ribeiro Bonito") portray Saci's younger brothers. Released only four years after the death of author Monteiro Lobato, 'O Saci' was a commercial success and helped to make Lobato's work popular for both children and adults, and especially among illiterate people. The film is still well remembered and had a second premiere at its 60th anniversary, at the Amazonas Film Festival.
References
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