About Hijos Del Carnival (HBO)

Hijos Del Carnival, or Sons of Carnaval, is a Brazilian television drama series, which originally aired on HBO in 2008. A gritty portrait of life and crime in Brazil, the series is set in the backdrop of the colorful world of Carnival, a vibrant annual festival celebrated in Rio de Janeiro.

The series traces the tumultuous life of a local carnival kingpin, Anésio Gebara, and his four sons. It explores their struggles with corruption, crime and personal issues, amidst the vibrant festivities of the carnival. The narrative is sophisticated, utilizing both comedy and tragedy to tell a gripping story of family, power, and the corruption that tears them apart.

Making / Production

Produced by HBO, the series is known for its wonderful mix of reality and fiction, realism and surrealism, with every frame mirroring the contrast of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The locale, music, and people are accurate representation of the Brazilian society, its culture and contradictions.

Actors

• Enrique Diaz as Anésio Gebara: Diaz's convincing character portrayal of the patriarch makes Anésio's inner conflict and struggle gripping.
• Rodrigo dos Santos as Clown Nilo: Santos has given a memorable performance as the ambitious but hardworking Nilo.
• Felipe Camargo as Brown Zé: Camargo's multi-dimensional depiction of Brown Zé, straddles the world of legitimacy and crime.
• Thogun as Midnight: Thogun adds depth to his character Midnight, a soft-hearted and musically inclined man caught in a world of crime.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Even though the show is Brazilian, it was honored with an International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series in 2007.
• Enrique Diaz, who played the character of Anésio Gebara, also co-directed a few episodes of the series.

Awards

In 2007, Hijos Del Carnival (Sons Of Carnaval) was honoured with an International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series. The series was praised for its compelling narrative, exceptional production quality, and brilliant performances.

Quotes

• "In the end, it's all a game. The game of life." - Anésio Gebara
• "Some masks hide faces, others, the truth." - Clown Nilo
• "In this world of crime, silence is our only companion." - Midnight

• The realistic and throbbing samba soundtrack adds to the vibrancy of the series.
• The series features authentic Brazilian music, showcasing traditional and contemporary beats.