Mauricio Stycer

Five friends meet for lunch. Nothing could be more mundane, but for some reason, no one stayed for dessert.

A celebration of the centenary of the writer, journalist and democracy activist Antonio Callado. The documentary describes the life story and works of this writer who always sought to understand Brazil. In the early days, he believed in the myth of a country focused on its origins, on the Indians and the fight for freedom. Afterwards, he recognized that he had lived a useless passion and became disenchanted. But his work has the characteristics of a continuous account of the struggles of the common man, in search of love and a better life.

This documentary takes a deep dive into the history of Brazilian broadcast television, focusing on the decades when the pursuit of the number one spot in the ratings pushed every ethical boundary. Through a detailed analysis and interviews with people who experienced it behind the scenes, whether as viewers or industry insiders, the film brings back the era of live variety shows, hidden camera pranks, the rivalry between Gugu and Faustão, and the PCC scandal. More than just a nostalgic look back, the film questions how sensationalism and the exploitation of poverty shaped the behavior of a nation raised in front of the screen, revealing the secrets of a TV industry that wasn’t afraid to get bizarre to hold onto its audience.