La Cité invisible

A great representation of Brazilian folklore, bringing them to the present without losing their essence. Alessandra's performance as Cuca was spectacular, and I loved Saci and Curupira. The special effects are also great. My only criticism is that the Rythm is a little slow.

Beings from folklore live in secret amongst humans in modern day Brazil. All is good until some mysterious deaths occur and an environmental cop finds himself in the middle of it. You get excitement, a spooky fantasy, and a whodunnit all rolled into one. This is so good that you don't even notice that it's a foreign series - and it left me wanting more.

Invisible City is one of those shows that almost immediately (by end of 1st episode) captures you and don't let go. The concept, the beauty, the storyline is so captivating, making us wanting more.

This is true especially for the 1st season. However, the 2nd season, outside of the 1st episode, is a bit of a letdown. At the end of it, I was asking Why Eric even need to be there? In season 2 episode 1 the concept was broaden to include actual living human with abilities/ or curse instead of just Spirit Entities, which was awesome. But instead of running with it, the story narrow down it's scope to this one particular issue and one particular sacred place. Eric and Luna is just there as messengers, i guess, both required for more sacrifices on their part to what essentially is not their fault, nor their ancestor's faults. I guess Eric's wife's good intention ended up being paid by both her husband and daughter. Eric's ending is so tragic. This guy has sacrifice everything...TWICE at this point. So let give him and his daughter their due and give us a 3rd Season!!! Hahaha.

Mixing different genres (fantasy, police action, horror, thriller) and with an environmental problem as an issue, Invisible City is probably the most encompassing effort to portray in the screen Brazilian rich folklore/mythology ever (perhaps even more than the classic Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo). We can see Saci-Pererê, the Boto (both had appeared alone in Brazilian movies before), Cuca, Iara, Curupira, Caipora. All characters (not only the cretures but also the policemen, the girl and the citizens from the rural community) were played by actors with convincing performances, in very clever adaptations from the legends. Special effects, obviously simpler than in Hollywood, worked perfectly and were amesome. While Samuel de Assis did a good job in the leading role, and José Dumont is one of the best Brazilian actors, I was particularly amazed by the deepness and strength Fábio Lago, Alessandra Negrini, Jessica Córes and Wesley Guimarães gave to their versions of lovely faeries from Brazil.

Brazilian culture is so rich and deserves to be shown to the world. Cuca, Curupira, Saci, Boto Rosa and Iara are so much better than dragons and gnomes... thanks netflix to bring our legends to spotlight