In the late 1990s, a Basel-based production company called Rede Manchete launched an ambitious project: a telenovela based on the life of one of its most iconic historical figures, Xica Da Silva, a slave who ended up considered a queen and was accepted, albeit reluctantly, by the high society of the time. As it was filled with many emotional scenes, I remember it was broadcast during prime time, but when the time came to air, the entire country stopped to watch this masterpiece, which, like all Brazilian productions, generated a lot of emotions.

A finales de los años 90 una empresa productora basileña llamada Rede Manchete llevó a cabo un ambicioso proyecto, se trataba de una telenovela basada en la vida uno de sus personajes históricos más emblemáticos, Xica Da Silva, una esclava que terminó considerada como una reina y que fue aceptada, aunque a regañadientes en la alta sociedad de la época. Como estaba llena de muchas escenas fuertes recuerdo que la transmitían en horario estelar pero cuando llegaba la hora de la transmisión todo el país se detenía para ver esta obra maestra que, al igual que todas las producciones brasileñas generaba muchas emociones.

Francisca Da Silva, better known as Xica, was a young girl who worked with her parents on the hacienda of the commander of the province of Tijuco (one of the most prosperous in the 18th century because it had diamond mines) after the death of her father, Xica decides to steal the diamonds that the commander had to deliver to the king, so the hacienda ends up confiscated by the government and the slaves auctioned, in this way Xica and her mother are bought by the sergeant major of the regiment, who had an evil daughter (Miss Violante) she was the fiancée of the new commander of the province, but this man is captivated by Xica's beauty as soon as he sees her, so he asks for her as a gift, which unleashed Violante's fury. From that moment on, the commander makes Xica learn to read and write, buys her jewels and expensive dresses, gives her her letter of freedom, comforts and the power to do whatever she wants, so the young woman who was once a slave ended up becoming a local celebrity, she had an enviable cunning and an ability to devise plans with which she gradually takes revenge against all those who ever mistreated her.

This soap opera is conclusive proof that inclusion can be done perfectly, without it feeling forced, since it touched on topics such as slavery, violence, corruption and even homosexuality, but all within a real and logical context, for example, one of the most remembered and beloved characters in this series was Mr. José María, a young homosexual, or rather, transgender, because he felt like a woman trapped in a man's body, but the script was so well done that they showed this character with everything that entailed being a transgender person in the 18th century in the midst of a hyper-conservative society, that is, he had to live by appearances and conform to the standards demanded by the church and society, especially when the Inquisition arrived. Even so, he was constantly judged and singled out, he was a character with many nuances and with great development, his scenes were often funny but at other times they even became dramatic or full of tenderness.

Esta telenovela es la prueba fehaciente de que se puede hacer inclusión de manera perfecta, sin que se sienta forzada, ya que tocaba temas como la esclavitud, la violencia, la corrupción y hasta la homosexualidad, pero todo dentro de un contexto real y lógico, por ejemplo uno de los personajes más recordados y amados de esta serie era El señor José María, un joven homosexual, o mejor dicho, transgénero, porque él se sentía una mujer atrapada en el cuerpo de un hombre, pero el guion estaba tan bien hecho que mostraron a este personaje con todo y lo que conllevaba el hecho de ser una persona transgénero en el siglo XVIII en medio de una social hiper conservadora, es decir, que él tenía que vivir de apariencias y amoldarse a los estándares que le exigía la iglesia y la sociedad, sobre todo cuando llegó la inquisición. Aún así era constantemente juzgado y señalado, fue un personaje con muchos matices y con un gran desarrollo, sus escenas a menudo eran graciosas pero en otras ocasiones incluso llegaron a ser dramáticas o llenas de ternura.

The set design, the script, and the costumes were all worthy of praise, and in fact, the soap opera still attracts viewers online today. But many of us dream of a remake; it would be great.

La escenografía, el guion y el vestuario eran dignos de ser alabados y de hecho hoy en día todavía la telenovela sigue atrayendo publico a través de internet, pero muchos soñamos con que hagan un remake, sería genial.

Another very interesting point it had was a touch of mystery, especially in terms of witchcraft and the way it was practiced at that time, as well as the impact that the Inquisition had on society, since for the clergy there was no distinction of race, gender or social position when it came to finding a culprit and making them suffer, often to the point of death.

The soundtrack, for its part, is a marvel; it's full of African and baroque sounds, even featuring musical instruments that are practically obsolete today, like the lute, for example.

It was truly a pleasure for me to have watched this telenovela at the time and also in the reruns that have been made over the years. In fact, I've also seen it online. For me, it has become a classic, and I would love for them to do a remake, but what do you think? Have you seen it? Would you like a remake? Thank you for reading my review. I send you virtual hugs and kisses. 😘 🤗

De verdad que para mi fue un placer haber visto esta telenovela en su momento y también en las retransmisiones que han hecho a lo largo de los años, de hecho también la he visto por internet, para mi se ha vuelto todo un clásico y me encantaría que hicieran un remake pero ¿Qué opinas tú? ¿La has visto? ¿Te gustaría un remake? Gracias por leer mi reseña, te mando besos y abrazos virtuales 😘 🤗