Afro-Brazilian actors pay homage to Ruth de Souza, 92, a pioneering black actress of Brazilian Cinema

Note from BW of Brazil: Always be careful what you ask for! A few months ago this writer had a passing thought about the veteran actress Ruth de Souza, who was featured on this blog way back in February of 2012. In reality, de Souza is one figures of Afro-Brazilian History that inspired this blog! Thinking of de Souza and knowing that she was in her nineties, I thought it would be great if she were honored for the accomplishments of her career and her legacy for current black Brazilian actors. The Brazilian equivalent of the Academy Awards was actually mentioned in a post on October 30th about the nomination of actress Zezé Motta for Best Supporting Actress in a film. Although the film that she was featured in ended up winning a number awards, Zezé didn’t win in the category for which she nominated. But an homage to Ruth de Souza made up for this and was the inspirational moment of the night!

Emotion and tears mark the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro

At 92, Ruth de Souza was the main honoree at the 12th edition of the event

by Leo Martinez, Nina Ramos and Rodrigo Teixeira

The atmosphere was of much emotion on the evening of Wednesday, November 13, during the 12th edition of the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro (Brazilian Film Grand Prix), held in the Cidade das Arttes in Barra da Tijuca, in the west zone of ​​Rio de Janeiro. Completing 92 years, the actress Ruth Souza was the great honor of the big event. De Souza was honored for being a pioneer in cinema, theater and television. For those who don’t know, Ruth was the first black actress to perform in the Municipal Theater of Rio. “Thank you so much to the Academy. I’ve done 20 some films and want to do even more. This tribute is a beautiful thing that I don’t know what to say, except thank you,” said Ruth.

The veteran of the dramaturgy was greeted by a legion of black actors in theater, film and television. At that moment, the event brought together black actors onstage with Ruth with each receiving a hug from the veteran actress. Camila Pitanga, Juliana Alves, Antônio Pitanga, Lázaro Ramos, among many others. “She deserves this and many other honors. It was cute that after the closing of the curtains, she looked at us with eyes filled with water and made an expression as if to say ‘the fight was not in vain’, you know?” said Lazarus after the end of the ceremony.

But when the curtain closed everyone had tears in their eyes:

“Ruth is worthy of this and many other honors. She contributed greatly to the artistic side and the training and development of many citizens. After the tribute, still on stage, she looked at us with that look of someone who was satisfied and a mission accomplished,” said the actor Lázaro Ramos.Actress Juliana Alves also did not hide her feelings and admiration for the honoree: “It was my dream to be with Ruth and, who knows, to work with her. I hope to be able to accomplish this. She is an example of absolutely everything to us who are black.”

Flávio Mariano, of the group Nós do Morro, said it was an honor to pay tribute to Ruth. “It was wonderful. Ruth deserves recognition. She is an icon of our cinema, a reference , I’m a fan.”

The 2013 edition of the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro (Grand Prix of Brazilian Cinema), awarded the best Brazilian films of 2012.

Gonzaga – De Pai Para Filho (From Father To Son) was the big winner of the night. In addition to Best Actor, the film was awarded in the categories: Best Fiction Feature Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing of Fiction and Best Sound. The film received nominations in 15 categories.

The award for Best Actor and Best Actress were given to Júlio Andrade (Gonzaga – De Pai Para Filho) and Dira Paes (À Beira do Caminho). Júlio, on receiving the trophy on stage, sang the song E Vamos à Luta, by Gonzaguinha. On stage, he also revealed the emotions he felt when receiving the award.

Note from BW of Brazil: Among the Afro-Brazilian actors who appeared onstage in tribute to Ruth de Souza were: Lázaro Ramos, Érico Brás, Camila Pitanga, Juliana Alves, Antônio Pitanga, Maria Ceiça, Leandro Firmino, Rocco Pitanga, Flávio Bauraqui, Priscila Marinho and Zezé Barbosa. 

Source: Ego, R7, Último Segundo