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Madame Satã

Play trailer Poster for Madame Satã 2003 1h 45m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
60% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In the 1930s slums of Rio de Janeiro, João Francisco dos Santos (Lázaro Ramos) is many things -- the son of black slaves, an ex-con who spent more than two decades in prison, a gangster, a homosexual and patriarch to a surrogate family of social outcasts. João seeks an outlet of expression through a cabaret act, where he cultivates the transvestite stage persona Madame Satã and becomes a revolutionary icon for society's neglected during a time of upheaval in post-abolition Brazil.
Madame Satã

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Madame Satã offers an occasionally absorbing look at a pivotal figure in Brazilian culture, even if its subject deserves a more consistent biopic.

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Critics Reviews

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Liam Lacey Globe and Mail Nov 7, 2003
2.5/4
Often captivating. Go to Full Review Erik Lundegaard Seattle Times Oct 31, 2003
2/4
A myopic, histrionic picture that never lets us know why this legendary character is legendary, and worthy of our attention. Go to Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Oct 27, 2003
2.5/5
While the depiction of the Lapa district and the details of repressed homosexual life in Rio 10 years ago is always intriguing, we come away learning very little about the individual known as Madame Sat. Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Jun 12, 2020
Madame Sata portrays a real-life Brazilian folk hero, a popular criminal and minor cabaret star who, while certainly no Robin Hood, did capture the turbulent spirit of a corrupt frontier society where people of color were relegated to the margins... Go to Full Review Donald J. Levit ReelTalk Movie Reviews Sep 6, 2006
The film's non-dramatic but exhilarating finale is what clings most memorably. Go to Full Review Film Threat Dec 6, 2005
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Synara B @syno_ Dec 8, 2025 Atuação incrível do Lázaro Ramos, o filme trás momentos difíceis mas sempre com uma inerencia que desperta sorrisos. É perceptível a razão da truculência do personagem, como pessoa preta, lgbt+ ele sempre conheceu a violência, porque era a única forma com que o mundo se relacionava com ele, e como foi condicionado a isso acaba reproduzindo, até mesmo com as pessoas que lhe querem bem. Ps: Só deixou a desejar por não ter retratado a história sendo 100% fiel aos acontecimentos reais. See more Jul 11, 2014 Confronting, rancid, tantalising, with sex you can almost smell. See more Jan 15, 2013 Gritty depiction of a Brazilian slum in the 1930s. See more Jan 29, 2012 Even if you do not like the characters, this is a REAL movie with REAL people and it is an Oscar worthy film. I submitted this one to Flixster after watching late one night. I was amazed at the marvelous acting. You must see this one! See more Jan 13, 2012 Captivated? Not really. Didn't sink in with me too well. See more Jan 4, 2011 assez etrange notamment en raison de la nature des personnages et du caractere assez lunatique de "Madame Sata". Bon jeu de jambe pour la Capoeira ;) See more Read all reviews
Madame Satã

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Cast & Crew

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Karim Aïnouz

Director

Lázaro Ramos

João Francisco dos Santos

Marcélia Cartaxo

Laurita

Giovana Barbosa

Firmina

Fellipe Marques

Renatinho

Flávio Bauraqui

Tabu

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Madame Satã

Madame Satã (2002) Madame Satã (2002) Madame Satã (2002) A scene from the film MADAME SATA. A scene from the film MADAME SATA. A scene from the film MADAME SATA. A scene from the film MADAME SATA. A scene from the film MADAME SATA. A scene from the film MADAME SATA. A scene from the film MADAME SATA. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1930s slums of Rio de Janeiro, João Francisco dos Santos (Lázaro Ramos) is many things -- the son of black slaves, an ex-con who spent more than two decades in prison, a gangster, a homosexual and patriarch to a surrogate family of social outcasts. João seeks an outlet of expression through a cabaret act, where he cultivates the transvestite stage persona Madame Satã and becomes a revolutionary icon for society's neglected during a time of upheaval in post-abolition Brazil.
Director
Karim Aïnouz
Producer
Marc Beauchamps, Isabel Diegues, Vincent Maraval, Maurício Andrade Ramos, Donald Ranvaud, Juliette Renaud, Walter Salles
Screenwriter
Karim Aïnouz, Marcelo Gomes, Sérgio Machado, Mauricio Zacharias
Distributor
Wellspring Cinema
Production Co
Dominant 7
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 9, 2003, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Mar 1, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA)
$198.2K
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
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