At just 14 years old, Miguel Soares takes a decisive step in his artistic career by joining the cast of the feature film “Pilar’s Diary in the Amazon,” scheduled to premiere in January 2026. In the film, the young actor plays Breno, the best friend of the protagonist Pilar, the central character in an adventure that blends fantasy, discovery, and a powerful message of environmental awareness set in the Amazon rainforest.
You made your film debut as the protagonist in Pilar’s Diary in the Amazon at age 14. What went through your mind when you realized the magnitude of this step in your career?
I am very grateful and happy to receive this opportunity, and just as I learned a lot from Breno, I hope that the audience can also learn from him and from the film’s message of awareness.
Breno is Pilar’s best friend and actively participates in this adventure in the forest. What do you identify with most about him, and what did you need to learn or develop to bring this character to life?
The main characteristic that Miguel, Breno, and I have in common is our huge hearts; he cares deeply about his friends, especially Pilar. I think that’s where the audience will identify with him, and reading Pilar’s books was fundamental in creating my version of Breno.
The film blends fantasy, adventure, and a strong message about environmental preservation. How did this story make you reflect on the Amazon and your role as a young artist today?
Being in the Amazon means having direct contact with the environmental problems there; it made me look at that region and the problems it has faced with different eyes. Showing this to the children of Brazil is protecting the future of the Amazon!
You’ve worked in television, streaming, musical theatre, and now you’re making it to film. Is there any artistic medium that challenges you more or makes you feel more “at home”?
I didn’t know, but from one area of drama to another everything changes a lot. The most challenging is definitely musical theatre, because each performance is different from the other. Dealing with improvisation without stopping the show is often the biggest challenge, but certainly the most enjoyable. Doing TV is what makes me feel most at home, because everything is very fast-paced and dynamic, and it’s generally longer compared to film and theatre.
In theater, you played very symbolic characters, such as the Little Prince. Did your experience on stage influence your acting in film? If so, in what way?
I learn a lot from each character, so I would say that I take that learning to other projects, so yes, all my experiences in drama influence me in new characters and new ways of acting.
Your characters often engage with young audiences. Do you feel a special responsibility in portraying stories that inspire, educate, or provoke reflection in this generation?
Yes, I believe that every form of art has a message behind it, something to be communicated to the public, and when it comes to children and young people, there is an extra need for care in the way it is expressed. I think it’s great that we can use art to communicate, encourage, and raise awareness among children in so many different ways.
Does receiving the Brazilian Youth Award as a “Young Person of the Future” so early in life change how you view your dreams and your next professional steps?
I’ve always been very down-to-earth about my dreams, and that only increased when I started my acting career, because it’s a very difficult career. I’m very grateful and honored to have received this award, but it doesn’t change my perspective on my dreams.
Looking at everything you’ve experienced so far and what lies ahead, what kind of stories do you still dream of telling—and what message would you like the audience to take away from watching you?
I really want to be able to play my antagonist, a character who is my complete opposite, with a very different story, dreams, and goals—a character that truly takes me out of my comfort zone.
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