Renata De Paula is experiencing one of the most symbolic moments of her artistic career with “Entre Nós Outra Vez” (Between Us Again). Released in October on YouTube, the film has already surpassed 75,000 views and earned the actress her first nomination at the 9th International Christian Film Festival, where she is competing for Best Supporting Actress. Playing Dani, a lawyer who rekindles old affections amidst family crises, Renata celebrates not only the recognition but also the opportunity to unite art, purpose, and faith in a work that marks her prominent debut in Christian cinema.
“Between Us Again” marks not only a new phase in your career, but also the fulfillment of a spiritual purpose. At what point did you realize you wanted to direct your art towards Christian cinema?
“When I returned to live in Brazil, in São Paulo, after spending four years living in Amsterdam, where I became pregnant with my second child and faced the pandemic, I came back to São Paulo. It was a period of much reflection and spiritual seeking. I felt that God was calling me to use my art for something greater, something that transcended entertainment. That’s when I started looking for opportunities to work on projects that aligned my faith and my passion for cinema. I invested in preparation and acting courses specifically for film, reconnected with artists I admire, friends in the arts, and met new people. With dedication and perseverance, things started to happen. My first role in the Christian film industry came in 2024 in the film “Entre Nós Outra Vez” (Between Us Again), and I believe this is the beginning of a new chapter in my life. And, as if that weren’t enough, this role earned me a nomination for best supporting actress at the largest Christian film festival in Latin America, the 9th FICC (International Christian Film Festival)! I am thrilled and grateful for this opportunity to…” To serve and inspire people with my work! It’s a dream come true and a testament to the fact that when we trust in God, anything is possible!
You often say that you asked God for a path aligned with your purpose. What has changed in the way you work—and choose projects—after that experience?
I have a beautiful family! Two children who are my greatest treasure. I realized that you can’t talk about purpose when you’re not aligned with yours. Nowadays, I don’t do anything that doesn’t add value to my life. I like projects that can leave a message of transformation, that can say something good to this world. I understand that not everything is for me, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to be more selective and prioritize projects that are aligned with my values and goals. And, above all, I hope in God that I can increasingly be involved in projects that carry a message of faith, inspiring and transforming lives.
Dani is a complex woman, strong and, at the same time, vulnerable. What was the process like of humanizing this character without falling into stereotypes of villain or heroine?
When I accepted the invitation to bring “Daniela” to life, I was aware that I would be dealing with delicate and complex themes such as addiction, betrayal, and isolation. The biggest challenge for me was to prevent my character from falling into the stereotype of the seductive, fatal mistress. So, I delved deep into her emotions! To do this, I created “Dani’s” backstory, especially her relationship with Miguel when they were young, bringing in information that wasn’t in the script to make the character authentic and true. I believe that the key to overcoming any challenge in building a character is unbiased research and careful preparation. It was fundamental to create a safe and trusting environment with the production team and with the actor Alessandro Ramos (Miguel) so that we could explore these themes honestly and delicately.
The recordings took place during a delicate time for you, while you were still recovering from surgery. What lessons did this period teach you—both as an actress and as a person?
The filming was challenging because I was recovering from surgery and needed to find a balance between my health and my work. And that couldn’t become a problem on set. So, I learned to be more patient, ask for help, accept my needs, take care of myself, and value my health even more. As an actress, I needed to find creative ways to cope with physical limitations, and that made me grow and become more resilient. And as a person, I learned to prioritize what really matters and not let obstacles get me down. It was a delicate period, but one that brought me a lot of strength and determination.
Your career is marked by reinventions — from television to film, from entertainment to purposeful communication. What motivates you most when you look at everything you’ve built so far?
What drives me is the passion for what I do and the desire to continue growing and learning, with the opportunity to do it with purpose and inspire people. Each project, each challenge, has given me an opportunity to reinvent myself and find new ways to express myself. Looking back, I feel grateful for having built such a rich and diverse career, and also for having met incredible people who have inspired me and helped me get to where I am today.
I believe that people are the greatest asset of any career, and I am grateful to have been able to learn from each and every one of them. I believe that communication can be a powerful tool for good, and I want to continue using my voice to make a positive difference in the world.
Besides being an actress, you are also a mentor and trainer of communicators. How does this experience with the public and public speaking contribute to your performance in front of the cameras?
I think they are very different things. An actor brings characters to life, while a presenter is already at their best as a communicator. When I present, I’m speaking directly to the camera, that is, to one person, and when I’m presenting on stage, I’m speaking directly to an audience. When you’re in the position of an actor in audiovisual media or film, for example, you’re on set, you know you have a technical team, that you have to act in a way that favors the camera, but you’re not speaking to the camera. As a mentor and trainer of communicators, I’ve found that teaching is one of the best ways to learn. By sharing my knowledge and experiences with others, I also learn and grow as a professional. It’s a two-way process that allows me to refine my own skills and stay motivated to continue evolving.
Being nominated for FICC is an important milestone. If you could leave a message for other Christian artists who also dream of uniting faith and art, what would it be?
To all Christian artists who dream of uniting faith and art, I want to say that it is possible! Don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how difficult the obstacles. Faith and art are a powerful combination, and when united, they can inspire and transform lives. Cinema, in particular, has the power to reach people all over the world, carrying the message of love and hope beyond borders. Have faith and wait on God.
Follow Renata De Paula on Instagram
Photos: Bruna Mendes – @bm.clicks_ / @brunameendees_
Clothing and accessories: Kristhel Byancco – @kristhelbyanccojoias / @krishtelbyanccooficial