Director(s): Paulo José
Actor(s): José Mayer, Vera Fischer, Letícia Sabatella, Lúcia Veríssimo, José Wilker, Sérgio Mamberti, Marcos Winter, Rodolfo Bottino, Carlos Vereza, Tony Tornado, Lima Duart, Norton Nascimento, Hugo Carvana, Elias Gleizer, Stênio Garcia, Carlos Gregório
Production Co.: Rede Globo de Televisão
Country: Brazil
Year: 1993
Language: Portuguese dialogue
Format: DVD
[ratings]
Summary: This mini-series takes a look at the events of August 1954 in the capital of Brazil, blending historical fact with fiction. On August 1st, a powerful entrepreneur is murdered. On August 5th, Major Rubem Vaz is assassinated in error; the intended target-Carlos Lacerda, a political rival of President Getúlio Vargas. On August 24th, President Vargas commits suicide. Based on the novel by Rubem Fonseca.
Agosto takes Rubem Fonseca’s novel of the same name and turns it into a uniquely “noir” mini-series. Using the events leading up to Getúlio Vargas’ suicide as a historical background, Agosto takes a look at the sordid underbelly of political intrigue in 1950s Rio de Janeiro. Paulo José takes few liberties with the script in a screenplay that reads quite similarly like Fonseca’s original work.
Agosto was particularly intriguing because the director successfully uses historical background and fiction to create a well-rounded story of Vargas’ controversial dictatorship. Political corruption in Vargas’ government is manifested through the characters in the miniseries. The miniseries and the novel are almost identical as we see violence and sexual content in both works.
This miniseries is based on Rubem Fonseca’s novel. Similar to the novel, it incorporates historical elements with fiction. The story focuses on historical events that occurred before Vargas’s suicide and the political corruption of Vargas’s administration. I really enjoyed this adaptation of the Fonseca’s novel. The miniseries altered some elements of the plot line; however, these changes add substance to the story. I enjoyed watching the miniseries, but I do recommend reading the book first.
This minssérie is based on a “Romance Policial,” a detective novel. Like Hilda Furacão, it mixes elements of history with fiction. It centers around the days before the suicide of a very important political figure and like most Brazilian cinematic works, it has its fare share of nudity. Watch this if you love suspense.
“Agosto” is based on Rubem Fonseca’s novel published in 1990 and depicts the events leading up to Getúlio Vargas’ suicide in 1954. The miniseries stays true to Fonseca’s original work, as the director interweaves historical fact with literary fiction. “Agosto” utilizes a film noir feel to portray the corruption, violence, and suspense that characterize the novel and the time period. “Agosto” is highly recommended for viewers who enjoy plenty of suspense and enthralling criminal dramas.