When writer Lima Barreto, from Rio de Janeiro, died in 1922, an autopsy of his head was performed by eugenic doctors, advocates of racial hygiene in Brazil. The purpose of the autopsy was to answer the question: “How could a brain considered to be inferior have produced such a literary work if the privilege of noble art and good writing belongs to the races considered to be superior?”.
This is what director and playwright Luiz Marfuz imagined, creating this fictional autopsy session to discuss issues such as racism, madness, and literary life. Actor Hilton Cobra focuses on many facets of the personality and genius of the author of O Triste Fim de Policarpo Quaresma (The Sad End of Policarpo Quaresma), in addition to coping with the political and literary challenges of his time in Rio de Janeiro, capital of the First Republic (1889-1930).
Hilton Cobra
Actor and producer, he has performed in shows directed by Luiz Marfuz, Márcio Meirelles, Nehle Franke, Ulisses Cruz, and Werner Herzog. At Cia dos Comuns, which he founded in 2001, he produced many plays and directed Silêncio (Silence).
Credits
Acting: Hilton Cobra
Dramaturgy: Luiz Marfuz
Direction: Onissajé (Fernanda Júlia)
Set design Erick Saboya, Igor Liberato and Márcio Meireles | Vila de Taipa
Lightning design: Jorginho de Carvalho and Valmyr Ferreira
Costumes: Biza Vianna
Movement direction: Zebrinha
Musical direction: Jarbas Bittencourt
Video direction: David Aynan
Graphic design: Bob Siqueira e Gá
Executive production: Elaine Bortolanza and Júlio Coelho
Director of photography/camera operator: Lílis Soares
Audio and video technician: Duda Fonseca
Lighting technician: Lucas Barbalho
Featured guests (voice over): Caco Monteiro, Frank Menezes, Harildo Deda, Hebe Alves, Lázaro Ramos, Rui Manthur and Stephane Bourgade
Parental Guidance 14 years
