The Saint Visitation
(Documentary, 26minutes, DVD, 2006)
The detailed research and documentation done to produce the film “The Queen’s Orphans” originated in a documentary about the first visit of The Holy Office to Brazil in the late XVI century. The dark experience of the Portuguese Inquisition had arrived to the colony, in a time in which Brazil was barely formed. Produced by Persona Films, the documentary was selected, among other films, for the Jewish Film Festival in Sao Paulo in 2007.

The documentary portraits the so calling “The Saint Visitation” as it was known the entourage of religious people in charged to watch over the catholic dogmas, in a time where the New World was widen and the persecution to the heretic and sinners. In search for the errors of faith, the main target of the inquisitors were the New-Christians – Jews converted to Christianity. Were also persecuted those who did not follow the standard behavior allowed by the religious laws.

Historian Ronaldo Vaifaz conducted the reenactment of nine women’s confessions in front of the “Visitor”. Those depositions lead us to a time in where all men living in Brazilian soil still held memories of a country recently marked by Portuguese colonizers, in a place full of fears and mystery. Writer Eduardo Galeano participates in the poetic tone of the film.

This documentary is directed by Elza Cataldo, which also sings the script and production sponsored by Usiminas though the State law of Incentive to Culture of Minas Gerais. The actors that form the cast are Christine Antuña, Amanda Vargas, Inês Peixoto, Fernanda Vianna, Neuza Rocha, Aruana Zambi, Tuta Barcellos, Jota Dangelo, Anda Flávia Rennó, Raquel Pedras e Tina Dias. Anderson Faria is the Production Director, photography by Luís Abramo and Bruno Magalhães. Art Direction by Marney Heitmann and costumes by Sayonara Lopes.