Directors: Carolina Moraes-Liu
Actors: Arany Santana, Priscila Santos da Silva, Talita Bezerra do Amorin
Production Co.: Documentario Productions
Country: Brazil, USA
Year: 2010
Language: Dialogue in Portuguese with optional English subtitles. Credits in Portuguese, English or Spanish.
Format: DVD
[ratings]
Summary: “Ebony Goddess: Queen of Ilê Aiyê” follows three women competing to be the carnival queen of Ilê Aiyê, a prominent and controversial Afro-Brazilian group with an all-black membership. The selection is based on Afro-centric notions of beauty, in counterpoint to prevailing standards of beauty in Brazil, a country famous for slim supermodels and plastic surgery. Contestants for the title of Ebony Goddess dress in flowing African-style garments, gracefully performing traditional Afro-Brazilian dances to songs praising the beauty of black women. For Aurelina, Joseane and Talita, the competition for the title of Ebony Goddess is part of a profound and personal search for identity and self-esteem.