Miguel Rodrigues is one of the biggest names in audiovisual, known as a creator, director and director. With successful soap operas such as “Kubanacan”, “Senhora do Destino”, “Duas Caras” and others, he now leaves his mark on the seventh art. In 2023, he premiered the film “Stand Up-Minha Vida É Uma Joida”, featuring names like Carol Castro and Marco Luque in the cast. He recently released “Love In Quarantine”, a romantic comedy filmed entirely during quarantine.
His latest project was also one of his biggest challenges. Despite the reduced cast, with big names like Fafy Siqueira, Gabi Spaciari, Caroline Correa and David Wendefilm, filming during the pandemic was a unique challenge.
“Love In Quarantine” deals with homo and hetero relationships and their challenges during quarantine. The film was shown in the special exhibition “in theaters” at Cine Bijou and Tela Cine Fronteiras. With the script in English, it will go through a dubbing process before being widely distributed in Brazil.
In addition to “Love In Quarantine”, Miguel has marked his transition to cinema with several other releases. In November 2023, “Stand Up – Minha Vida É Uma Joada” premiered, a dramatic comedy starring Carol Castro and Marco Luque, which will be shown on Telecine after its theatrical release.
Also exploring the world of streaming, he launched “#PartiuFama”, a teen comedy with Augusto Madeira, Thomaz Costa and others, available on HBOMax. Additionally, he is currently producing three new feature films.
Miguel doesn’t limit himself to cinema. He leads the cultural event “Monólogos de Quinta” once a month at Bar Retrô in Pompéia, featuring engaging monologues, live music and improvisation games. As a partner in the production company Take a Take, he is in the process of producing the 4-episode series “Entre Abismos”, promising another major project by the end of the year.
Inspired by Scorsese, Felini, Win Wender, David Lynch, Steven Spielberg, Tarantino, Stanley Kubrick and other greats, Rodrigues seeks to create an increasingly unique style. Big projects are still to come next year.
What was the experience of directing a film that addresses homosexual and heterosexual relationships during the pandemic?
I think directing novels that touch people and talking about relationships is beautiful, as it is part of our nature, be it any type, because what matters is love. But it was beautiful to direct these two wonderful actresses who played this beautiful couple in the film.
What were the main challenges faced during the production of “Love In Quarantine”?
Lack of resources and fear of the pandemic, as there was no vaccine or tests yet available, so care was taken, but at the same time we needed to shoot the film, some street locations fell within the state government’s regulations and even with authorization they were not allowed. we could film there, so we had to improvise. But with a lot of faith in God and the desire to make films, everything went well and no one got sick.
Amid the challenges caused by the pandemic, were there any unusual or funny situations that occurred during the recordings?
Many situations, the actress Caroline Correa was coming from Los Angeles to Brazil and we couldn’t change dates because if there were any delays, everything would change, we were going to location when we discovered the regulations that made filming in Minhocão impossible, I had to leave by bike before the team to find out where the couple’s reunion scene could be to call everyone while they waited on the street, but everything went well.
“Love In Quarantine” features a diverse and talented cast. What was it like working with artists like Fafy Siqueira, Gabi Spaciari, Caroline Corrêa and David Wendefilm?
It was incredible, Gaby is a talented actress and very prepared for the camera and organized in repetitions, continuity and emotional with a lot of technique. Caroline Correa, in the most dramatic scenes, was always very intuitive and explosive like a hurricane, each take, each shot she did something different, different marks, I left her free to perform as much as possible. Fafy Siqueira is wonderful, available, a talent always open to possibilities, creative and very kind, with all his experience in the field, he was fun and David is a great actor and a very polite person, always eager to do the best and everyone is always very helpful. in order to surrender.
The film covers the story of Alex, played by Gaby Spaciari, a visual artist who finds herself confined in São Paulo with her wife’s ex-boyfriend. How would you describe the unfolding of this plot and the situations that arise from it?
Imagine her being super organized in every way, seeing in the same house a crazy, crazy foreigner who just makes messes and she can’t kick him out. When Fafy’s character enters, Ms. Odete, with her mask that covers her entire head, doesn’t speak English and thinks that Gringo is her daughter’s long-awaited boyfriend. The woman on the other side of the world without being able to return, finds herself in a hurricane of emotions.
Considering your career in both TV and cinema, what are the main differences and similarities that you see between the two mediums?
A closed work, another open work, production time, pace of delivery and especially the care you take in the cinema ends up being greater due to the time and knowing that it is going to be on a big screen, changes the perspective.
You are known for working on projects that explore different aspects of culture and society. How do you believe that “Love In Quarantine” will impact the public in relation to relationship issues during the pandemic?
I think the pandemic affected many couples, people had to live more closely, the whole family was together every day, some knew how to take advantage, others couldn’t handle the pressure and separated. The film makes it very clear how difficult it is to love and put rules in a relationship and that everyone can make mistakes and that forgiving betrayal is greater love.
In addition to directing films, you lead the event “Thursday Monologues”. How has this experience contributed to your career and influenced your work as a filmmaker?
My career began in theater as an actor, Monólogos de Quinta is a rescue of part of that, it is a place to receive friends and be able to put out in the mouths of the characters I play, something that I want to talk about or criticize in a fun and playful way. . This project was created with the intention of having a space in São Paulo, where you combine art, entertainment, music and acting and of course special drinks. On December 14th we will have our last session of the year, farewell 2023.
What are the next projects you are working on? Can you give us any previews or details about what’s coming up?
I’m finishing the series called “Entre Abismos”, with 04 episodes, which I also want to make into a feature-length film. I have an invitation from producer Patrícia Chamon for a beautiful feature called “Letters to God”, which is one of the projects that makes me most proud to be invited, as I am a great believer in God and grateful for this invitation. Among several other projects.
During your career, you were part of several renowned soap operas. How does this experience on TV influence your work directing films?
I think the most interesting thing is the practice of directing many scenes every day and this gives you tools to solve and find quick and effective solutions to that problem.
Finally, what is the main message you hope audiences take away after watching “Love In Quarantine”?
That love has no rules, that everyone makes their own rules and that forgiveness is one of the requirements for a couple to survive, whether straight or same-sex.
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