Cearense gains an audience on social media by sharing the experiences of those who live in the interior of the country – Verso

Among the little more than 18 thousand inhabitants of Solonópolis – a city located in the backlands of Ceará, 229 thousand kilometers from Fortaleza – one has a beautiful dream: conquering the world through art. And it’s a strong desire. “I want us to be present everywhere, representing our culture and our people in every corner of the planet.”

Maybe it won’t take long to accomplish the feat. To the 19 years oldthe actor, producer, multi-artist, influencer and Theater student at the Federal University of Ceará, David Zahir, you already have a busy schedule of plans. The biggest one, at the moment, is the debut of “Inconsciente”, a show in which he narrates passages from his personal trajectory and daily life in his city of origin.

This local routine even won over the public long before the production. Between 2014 and 2016, directly from the Benevolência site, in the district of São José, he was the pioneer in Solonópole to have a YouTube channel. During this journey, he accumulated more than eight thousand subscribers and almost a million of views – remarkable feat.

Several internet niches have been explored by the young man over the years. At first, everyday moments – in order to connect with fellow countrymen. Little by little, other biases. “A video that marked the beginning of the channel was ‘Gossip neighbor’, where I shared a real story that many could relate to. After all, as I say in the video, ‘tell me who is from the countryside and doesn’t have a gossipy neighbor?’”, he laughs.

For him, this closer approach was fundamental to gaining people’s attention, in addition to the simplicity and humility evident in the productions. From there, crossing other terrain was just a jump. Reality shows, soap operas and music They entered the YouTuber’s comment radar and never left.

“I became known among fans of artists I admired, like Joelma, and this helped expand my reach. The secret was to keep true to myselfwhat I believed, while exploring new themes and formats that would pique people’s interest.”

Art in childhood roots

Running through the streets, bathing in ponds, being a kid full of energy, charisma and unique love for culture, Davi says he has been fascinated by June festivals since he was little. The tradition marked the first steps in the young man’s artistic pursuits and continues to be its mainstay. Passion lives in the details.

“Even the way we express ourselves is unique. The crazy slang, like ‘marimba’ – which means ‘bullshit’ and we use it for everything – in addition to all the baggage, they were essential to create a unique artistic identity, full of references from my place of origin. The thing is that, in the interior, opportunities are a little scarce, so I always had this huge desire to face the outside world, but without forgetting my roots”, he says.

In fact, he really wants to take the name of the place wherever possible. Solonópolis, according to him, may be small on the map, but it occupies a huge place in the heart and history of this fearless Ceará native. Although living in the municipality showed the artist the most challenging face of existence, is grateful to him and intends to revere him.

The road was not paved. David’s childhood was marked by loneliness, aggression and lack of affection. He grew up in difficult environments, often in other people’s homes, between the woods and the street. There, watching those characters fighting for their dreams – many coming from places similar to his – he was deeply inspired.

It was what kept him from giving up his desire to be on stage. A fan of soap operas such as “Cheias de Charme”, “Rebelde” and “Cúmplices de um Resgate”, he felt he was destined to act like those faces that filled television. “I believe that this vocation arose from my need to dream and find an escape to the difficulties he faced”, he reflects.

“Right now, that’s what I’m doing: giving voice to a child who has been extremely hurt, humiliated and silenced. I am fulfilling one of my biggest dreams, in the process of putting together my new show.” It is the one already mentioned “Unconscious – A journey to my inner child”.

The montage addresses topics such as LGBTphobia, attacks suffered by her stepfather for five years and psychological abuse. At the same time, amidst the whirlwind of anguish, there is lightness, with references from artists in his own family responsible for showing him from an early age that it was possible to make art in the place where he lives.

Among the names fresh in memory are writer Marla Soraia; his uncle, Josi, who will perform a song called “Saudades do sertão” in the show – also a tribute to his sertão grandfather; and idols like Joelma, Luiz Gonzaga, Xuxa and forró bands.

The production will be directed by Samanta Oliveira and cast by the Sinestesia collective. The premiere is expected to be in the second half of this year. “We are still looking for supporters and brands who believe in the project to take it forward. A documentary and a short film are also being planned. A story that mixes reality and the unconscious in a setting that breathes the interior of Ceará”.

Bet on the dream

Asked if there is a recipe for someone outside the Capital and the main urban centers to project themselves artistically, Davi does not hesitate: it depends of opportunities and dedication of each one. He dreams of the day when it will not be necessary to leave his own place to follow his heart, like when in 2022 he moved to Fortaleza to study and continue what moves his life.

“It is crucial invest in art in interior regions, creating cultural centers. Until that happens, I believe it’s worth risking everything for our dreams. We only have one life to live, so we must put energy and dedication into what we want to be. Learn to live with fear, as it will always be present. Take a risk, play! I believe in your dream, in your intuition. Live what you want because no one will live for you”, he advises.

And he wants to live as long as he can. On a personal level, he aims to evolve as a human being, help his family and explore the beauties of Brazil through travel. Professionally, the goal is to complete Theater college, which is still in the third semester. “Unconscious” also appears as a goal, of course: It’s the show of a lifetime.

“Also, I plan to get back online and create content regularly soon. I dream of working with brands and advertising. Furthermore, I want to develop other projects that bring Ceará culture to the stage, highlighting the cultural riches of our region.”