Treasures from the Yale Film Archive: Madame Satã

Madame Satã (Karim Aïnouz, 2002, 35mm, 105 mins)

Based on the true story of a drag queen, folk hero, and small-time gangster who rose to cabaret stardom in 1930s Brazil, this gritty drama “doesn’t glorify dos Santos but examines the hot, reckless fever of his life in all its thorny complexity” (Edward Guthmann). “It’s a vivid, emotionally charged snapshot that makes no apologies or excuses” (Chris Vognar). In Portuguese with English subtitles. 35mm print from the Yale Film Archive.

The “Treasures from the Yale Film Archive” series is presented with support from Paul L. Joskow ’70 M.Phil., ’72 Ph.D.