“Renascer”: understand why the original version of the soap opera was so iconic

A new version of the soap opera “Renascer” debuts on Monday (22) on TV Globo and will be an adaptation of the original 1993 version, which was created by Benedito Ruy Barbosa.

The current version will be directed by Bruno Luperi, the author's grandson, and Gustavo Fernandez will direct, who had already been responsible for the 2022 remake of “Pantanal”.

Riding on the success of the remake of the 1990 soap opera, Globo is betting on the reissue of one of the ten biggest audiences of all time.

Who understands why the first version of “Renascer” was so iconic? A CNN explains:

Benedito Ruy Barbosa's return to Globo

Benedito Ruy Barbosa, creator of the soap opera, is one of the greatest authors in the history of the genre in Brazil. He was responsible for productions such as “Cabocla”, “Paraíso”, “Sinhá Moça”, “Pantanal”, “O Rei do Gado”, “Terra Nostra”, “Esperança”, “Meu Pedacinho de Chão” and “Velho Chico” .

Some of them even received remakes written by the author himself.

Until “Pantanal”, originally shown on Rede Manchete, the author had already written dozens of soap operas, but none of them occupied prime time on TV Globo. It was the success of Juma Murruá's story that brought Benedito Ruy Barbosa to the eight o'clock soap operas

“Renascer” was the first in a sequence that would also include “O Rei do Gado”, “Terra Nostra”, “Esperança” and “Velho Chico”.

Protagonist couple

Leonardo Vieira and Patrícia França made their debut on TV Globo with “Renascer”. They played the protagonist couple Zé Inocêncio and Santinha in the first phase of the soap opera.

The success was such that, despite their short participation in the soap opera, the duo won the right to play another romantic couple and gave life to the protagonists of “Sonho Meu”, also from 1993.

Strong cast

In addition to the debuting duo, the cast of the first version of “Renascer” included big names. Antônio Fagundes played Zé Inocêncio as an adult, Adriana Esteves played Mariana and Marcos Palmeira took on the role of João Pedro.

The list of actors and actresses cast in the production also includes names such as Herson Capri, Patrícia Pillar, Chica Xavier and Osmar Prado, in addition to special appearances by José Wilker, Fernanda Montenegro, Taumaturgo Ferreira and Grande Otelo.

Launched big stars

In addition to already established names in the soap opera industry, “Renascer” also made clear bets on its cast.

Jackson Antunes, Maria Luisa Mendonça, Marco Ricca, Paloma Duarte and Isabel Fillardis made their debut on TV Globo with the soap opera by Benedito Ruy Barbosa.

Award-winning performances

The performances were so good that the soap opera “Renascer” dominated the 1994 São Paulo Association of Art Critics (APCA) award. The production won trophies for:

• Best Soap Opera
• Best Actor (Antônio Fagundes)
• Male Revelation (Jackson Antunes)
• Best Supporting Actor (Osmar Prado)
• Best Supporting Actress (Regina Dourado)

Overproduction

With the narrative set in Ilhéus, Bahia, “Renascer” had a good part of its scenes recorded there.

Only the house of Jacutinga, a character played by Fernanda Montenegro who owned a brothel, gained a setting in the scenic city of Jacarepaguá, a neighborhood in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro.

Outstanding soundtrack

The production, which took just two years to be re-aired at Vale a Pena Ver de Novo, had a soundtrack with two entire CDs.

The opening song was “Confins”, performed by Batacotô and Ivan Lins, a singer who had already appeared in songs and soap operas such as “Roque Santeiro”, from 1985, and “Direito de Amar”, from 1987.

Other voices present on the “Renascer” soundtrack were Roberto Carlos, Fábio Jr, Caetano Veloso, Daniela Mercury, Guilherme Arantes, Sérgio Mendes, Fágner, Gilberto Gil, Roupa Nova, Adriana Calcanhoto, Agnaldo Rayol, Maria Bethânia, Ney Matogrosso, Elba Ramalho, Tim Maia, Alceu Valença, Nan Caymmi and Mores Moreira.