Bia Borinn is back in the spotlight with two new projects in the world of entertainment. After a period away from Brazilian screens, the actress recently debuted in “Música” (Prime Vídeo) alongside Camila Mendes and Rudy Mancuso, and is preparing for the release of “Nas Alturas” (Apple TV/YouTube TV) with Gary Smith , scheduled for April 18th. Her international performance is not a surprise, as Bia has increasingly stood out on the global stage. Recognized by UCLA for her work on the ” Brazilian Play and Learn “, where she promotes Portuguese as a heritage language, the actress brings Brazilian swagger to the screens in both films.
Returning to international sets: After some time away from Brazilian productions, how did you feel about diving into projects like “Música” and “Nas Alturas”?
It was really cool to be able to act in Portuguese, in two very different projects, and play two Brazilian characters in such different situations. One is a mother from New Jersey and another is a skydiver in California.
Brazilian representation abroad: In “Música”, you play a character who brings a lot of Brazil to the plot. What was it like for you to bring elements of our culture, such as maracatu, to the heart of an international production?
I only knew that I would have to do the dialogue in a musical way on the day of filming. It was incredible, we rehearsed a lot with Marivaldo dos Santos, and it wasn’t easy, because the rhythm of the scene is complex, it’s a sequence shot. It gave me a lot of pride and joy to do a scene like this.
Working with Camila Mendes and Rudy Mancuso: Both of you have Brazilian roots and was that reflected in any way behind the scenes? How was this dynamic between you, especially considering the cultural proximity?
I didn’t film with Camila, and Rudy, who is a director and producer, was very busy, I spoke to him during the scene. But I talked a lot with his mother about her experience as a Brazilian abroad. Language connects us instantly, right? We talked for hours on set.
Learnings from Rudy and Maria: You mentioned that you received tips about raising children in the United States. Can you share any of these pieces of advice that impressed or surprised you the most?
Maria said that she always spoke in Portuguese to Rudy, even though he responded in English. I’m a mother too, and I always speak as co-founder of Brazilian Play and Learn (who teaches Portuguese as a heritage language abroad) that the choice to speak the mother tongue is up to the mother and father. And creating this affection through language is fundamental for children to develop this sense of belonging.
Challenges and choices in “Nas Alturas”: Playing a Brazilian professional skydiver must have been a unique experience. How did you prepare for this very physical role that deviates from the common sexual stereotypes associated with Brazilian women abroad?
I trained a lot with the Norton Mello protocol, I undercut my hair. I wanted to bring this strength to the character, first and foremost. She is an athlete. Of course, she’s sensual, but she’s competent, very good at what she does. And that was the key point for me.
Fighting against hypersexualization : You adopted a very specific strategy to give a different tone to your character Rafaela. How was the reception from the public and critics to this deeper and less stereotypical approach?
The film opens now, I want to see what people think. But Gary (director) liked my approach and was pleasantly surprised.
Brazil in vogue: You highlighted that this is a special moment for Brazilian culture to be valued abroad. In your view, what makes Brazilian culture so attractive to the international market today?
Brazil is very diverse. It’s not even possible to talk about just one Brazilian culture. But the same official language (and we still have more than 150 living languages!). We have Bahia and we have Rio Grande do Sul, you know? So this attracts a lot, it’s so different from everything else… We have the Amazon, we have great artists, writers, poets, journalists, activists. And we are an example of democracy, as some TV programs have already emphasized.
Career and training: His CV is vast and includes stints at important institutions and work with big names. Among all these experiences, which would you say contributed most to your development as an actress?
Acting on the street. Right on the street! Having to do a play in Praça da Sé, with a dog, homeless person, street vendor, police… That was the basis for me to be comfortable improvising and being in the moment.
Balancing careers: You also have a career as a presenter. How do you balance these different aspects of your professional life? Are there any synergies between them that you find particularly enriching?
I think that in both professions you need to know how to listen, improvise and be curious. I love presenting, even though it’s not the backbone of my career. We who are actresses/actors love to “play” at being someone else… So doing other things is kind of natural for me. And I learn a lot from listening, as a presenter.
Future and projects: With such a dynamic and already consolidated career, what are your next goals or dreams to achieve? Are there any roles or types of projects you’re still excited to explore?
Now I’m starting to work in Spanish too, which is a third journey, in addition to Portuguese and English. Good things are coming.
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