Scriptwriter presents the synopsis of a soap opera that would be a continuation of “Escrava Isaura” to the director of Globo – Behind the Scenes

Julius Kadettphilosopher, professor and playwright, presented to José Luiz Villamarim, director of Teledramaturgy at Globo, a continuation project for “Escrava Isaura” entitled “The Daughter of Liberty”. According to journalist Flávio Ricco, from Portal R7, the proposed project would explore the lives of the couple Isaura and Álvaro after the last chapter of the soap opera. The narrative would show whether they managed to find happiness in a Brazil where slavery had not yet been abolished or whether they faced more challenges in those times.

The adaptation of Bernardo Guimarães’ novel follows Isaura (Lucélia Santos), a white slave on the Almeida farm. Raised as the daughter of Ester (Beatriz Lyra), she has perks that other enslaved people are not entitled to, she is erudite and well-educated, even playing the piano. However, there is a question that haunts her: “what would have happened to her father”, since she is only aware that her mother was a maid on the farm where she was born. Despite living in the big house, Isaura’s situation worsens with the death of Ester and the arrival of Leôncio (Rubens de Falco), her son, who returns from Europe. In love with Isaura, Leôncio is frustrated when he is not reciprocated, taking out all his anger on the girl. As she seeks her freedom, Isaura meets allies and enemies, until she finally finds love in the arms of Álvaro (Edwin Luisi), a rich abolitionist.

In an interview with Memória Globo, Gilberto Braga said that the suggestion to adapt Bernardo Guimarães’ novel came from his Portuguese teacher from his high school days. After reading ten pages of Escrava Isaura, the author called director Herval Rossano, certain that the story was perfect for a soap opera.

Between December 1979 and January 1980, the soap opera was re-presented in a compact version of 30 chapters. From September 1982, it aired on the TV Mulher program. In 1990, the rerun of “Escrava Isaura” closed Globo’s 25 Years Festival. In 2023, the soap opera entered the Globoplay catalog.

Next year, the original plot, starring Lucélia Santos, Rubens de Falco and Edwin Luisi, and produced by Globo, completes 49 years of its release. The work also inspired versions on Record: “A Escrava Isaura” and “Escrava Mãe”.