"Desperate Lies" (2024) has captivated audiences worldwide, currently ranking among Netflix's top ten most-watched non-English shows. However, in its hometown, a spirited debate rages: is it a telenovela or a miniseries? This cultural phenomenon straddles both identities, drawing on Brazilian passion and international acclaim. Let's explore why opinions diverge on where "Desperate Lies" fits.
The Case for Telenovela
"Desperate Lies" embodies the essence of a telenovela. It features a cast and production team comprising big names from TV Globo, Brazil's largest television network known for its telenovelas. Each episode lasts between 40 and 50 minutes, set against the vibrant backdrop of Rio de Janeiro, accompanied by a Brazilian soundtrack. The show blends melodrama with literary realism, tackling extraordinary themes like superfecundation heteropteran and sexual violence, ableism and blindness, trauma and machismo. It is even based on a real story that happened in the United States.
Telenovelas are traditionally consumed daily, except on Sundays, which are reserved for football and sometimes political advertising. They serve as a primary means of communication among Brazilians, regardless of socio-economic, political, generational, and geographical backgrounds. "Desperate Lies" invites viewers to debate pressing issues like sexual violence, the #MeToo movement, stealthing, and abortion. As the show crosses borders, these themes resonate globally, fostering a sense of sorority among women worldwide. The justice is blind resonating with recent cases of sexual violence like Mariana Ferrer, footballers like Daniel Alves and Robinho, among many others.
The Case for Miniseries
Yet, "Desperate Lies" subverts traditional telenovela features. Unlike typical telenovelas, which rely on audience reception to shape the plot, the Netflix show had all 17 episodes pre-produced. In contrast, "Desperate Lies" is designed for streaming and binge-watching. While its themes align with the 7 PM, 8 PM, and 9 PM slots of Brazilian television, the show integrates complex, nuanced characters and plot twists, deviating from the stereotypical roles often seen in telenovelas. It lacks multiple character cores, instead focusing on one with characters agglutinating multiple roles and connected to one another. Their profound psychological journey echo Freudian themes, exploding intricate family dynamics and relationships.
"Desperate Lies" also adopts some miniseries conventions, such as a closed ending in the final chapter and the diversity appeal. However, it retains the slower pacing typical of melodramas. The show starts and ends with women in labour, symbolizing renewal, perhaps illustrating a cultural revolution.
Are we witnessing a cultural shift? Regardless, "Desperate Lies" demands attention. Get comfortable, grab some popcorn, and join the debate!
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