The legacy of Manoel Carlos, a titan in Brazilian television drama, continues to resonate. His name evokes images of the iconic ‘Leblon’ neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, unforgettable characters like Helena, and the intoxicating melodies of bossa nova that often graced his telenovelas. Now, his daughter, actress and entrepreneur Julia Almeida, pays tribute to her father’s brilliance with an eight-part documentary series titled ‘O Leblon de Manoel Carlos,’ the first episode of which is now available on YouTube.
For Julia, directing this deeply personal and significant project, especially when dealing with the legacy of a renowned father, required a delicate balance of sensitivity and professionalism. “It was very visceral. Manoel Carlos is intense as a professional, as a person, and his story is intense too. It’s easy to think of him and immediately think of ‘novelas,’ but to write the novelas that had the highest ratings on Brazilian television, he walked a long, long road. This first documentary begins to show the everyday inspirations of this writer,” she shares in an exclusive interview with Vogue Brasil.
Reflecting on the influence of Manoel Carlos, Julia, who invited esteemed artists to delve deeper into her father’s work, notes: “My father always knew how to use the power he had in his hands for good. And I believe that’s one of his biggest differences. The word I heard most often from the interviewees when describing Manoel Carlos was: observer and generous.” Among the interviewees are Vera Fischer, Julia Lemmertz, Ângela Chaves, Rogério Gomes, Jayme Monjardim, and Marcos Gasparian.
Julia, however, isn’t merely an observer in this story. While she’s been away from the screen since her role in ‘Tempos de Amar’ (2018), she currently leads a fashion brand, Florita Beachwear, in addition to her production company, Boa Palavra, responsible for producing the series. “My life, since I was a baby, was spent in the arms of actors and directors, going into studios, and exploring the locations. I participated in meetings with adults, sipping whiskey, cigarettes being smoked in my face, and reciting poems…I watched old films and listened to jazz and classical music,” she recounts. Julia fondly remembers the challenges and lessons she learned from her roles in her father’s novelas, highlighting characters like Natália in ‘Por Amor’ (1998) and Estella in ‘Laços de Família’ (2000) as milestones in her career.
Beyond her professional journey, the actress also speaks about self-esteem. On her Instagram profile, she began to open up about self-acceptance and mental health. She, who has birthmarks on her neck, has had to deal with issues related to her appearance, but she’s now in a different phase. “I swear, I forget that I have the scars today. But I’ve suffered a lot with and because of them. I’m not going to sit here and whine, but it wasn’t an easy path to walk.”
In the interview, Julia delves into her father’s unique approach to storytelling, the impact of ‘Leblon’ on his work, and how the series explores the relationship between the neighborhood and his stories. She reflects on growing up in a world where television and novelas were a part of everyday life and how it influenced her own career choices and perspectives. She also shares insights into her own journey of self-discovery and how she’s learned to embrace her individuality, even while navigating the pressures of the public eye. The documentary provides a captivating glimpse into the creative genius of Manoel Carlos, offering a tribute to a true icon of Brazilian entertainment.
