For those who enjoy a soap opera, Brazil is fertile ground, as the overwhelming majority of general TV channels in the country transmit, on average, four soap operas daily. Invariably, much of this material eventually goes around the world, being bought and broadcast in other countries. One of the most permeable markets for Brazilian teledramaturgy is, of course, my country, due to its cultural and linguistic proximity. I watched "Gabriela" at the premiere in Portugal in 2012, and again about a year ago when it was reprised.
This soap opera is a remake of a much older production, starring Sônia Braga, and that went down in history for being the first foreign soap opera to be broadcast on Portuguese TV. Based on a novel by the Brazilian Jorge Amado, it takes place in the city of Ilhéus, Bahia, capital of the Brazilian cacao trade. The story focuses on the young Gabriela. She escaped from the severe drought felt in the northeastern interior and found, in Ilhéus, a new house as cook of the bohemian Turkish merchant Nacib. Quickly, the naive yet provocative ways of the young lady make the boss fall in love with her and they live a passionate romance. However, she refuses to marry and accept the conventions of rigid local society. From here, the plot weaves a series of criticisms to the way the woman was faced at that time. This is apparent, for example, in how powerful Colonel Melk treats his rebellious daughter Malvina or in the way Colonel Ramiro totally disapproves the romance between his granddaughter, Geruza, and his biggest political enemy, the liberal Mundinho Falcão. However, the most blatant moment in which this criticism occurs is in the fatal love triangle between the dentist Osmundo and the dreamy Sinhazinha, the unhappy wife of the brutal Colonel Jesuino.
It's one of the best remakes of old soap operas, running brilliantly to the end. I really liked the way Juliana Paes gave new life to the central character of the plot. She was the right actress for the right character. I also really enjoyed seeing Ivete Sangalo as the reckless Maria Machadão, the owner of the largest brothel in the city. Another brilliant actor here is José Wilker, this time in a strongly dramatic character, which contrasts with many characters who made him famous. I also liked Fabiana Karla, Humberto Martins, Marcelo Serrado, Luiza Valdetaro, Laura Cardoso, Chico Díaz, Ary Fontoura and Antônio Fagundes.
