Brazilian Telenovelas: What Has Changed and What Endures in the Portrayal of Afro-Brazilians?

This talk will explore how one of Brazil’s most internationally recognized cultural exports—telenovelas (narrative dramas similar to soap operas, but structurally distinct, as will be discussed)—have portrayed Black communities over more than five decades of television production. What roles have Afro-Brazilian actors played over the years? How have these portrayals changed in recent productions compared to the past? Drawing on extensive research and archival material, journalist and researcher Vítor Antunes offers a critical analysis of these representations in both television drama and journalism, highlighting the broader cultural and social dynamics in Brazil.