Set in 1970s Brazil, where an oppressive regime rigorously censors films they consider morally or politically suspect, Vicente works in the censor's office in São Paulo. Unlike most of the other people there he genuinely appreciates the art of cinema so one day, after having to ban a suspect film which features Dora Dumar, an actress he rather fancies, he tries to think of a way to make it acceptable. He then approaches the makers, the eponymous Magnifica Studio, without telling them who he really is and gives them an ending that adds a moral which means he can pass the film. This isn't the end of his involvement though; he is pressured to direct the studio's next film. He comes up with a story that is inspired by his own life. He must now live a double life as he makes the film without them finding out he is a censor or the censor's office discovering his involvement in the film. To make matters more complicated Dora isn't quite who she claims to be, Vicente's wife gets fed up of him always being away and has a string of affairs and his father in law, a powerful general, has a dark secret that he will do anything to hide.
This was an enjoyable series that has plenty of drama as well, a few laughs and some tense moments when protagonists are in danger. The story gets a bit melodramatic at times but that is a good part of what made it enjoyable; this is especially true near the end when Vincente and the workers at Magnifica Studio must use their skills in film making to get them out of a very dangerous situation. The cast does a fine job; most notably Marcos Winter, who plays Vincent, a character who develops significantly throughout the series; Simone Spoladore, who plays Dora and Adriano Garib, who plays her husband, Manolo, the man who runs the studio. Given the nature of the films made at Magnifica there is surprisingly little in the way of 'embarrassing material'; just the occasional short topless scene or a bare backside. There are some disturbing scenes; most notably when characters are tortured with electricity and secondary characters are killed. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of subtitled drama of course if you understand Portuguese you can enjoy it without the subtitles.
These comments are based on watching the first season; I hope the second season is shown here too one day.
This was an enjoyable series that has plenty of drama as well, a few laughs and some tense moments when protagonists are in danger. The story gets a bit melodramatic at times but that is a good part of what made it enjoyable; this is especially true near the end when Vincente and the workers at Magnifica Studio must use their skills in film making to get them out of a very dangerous situation. The cast does a fine job; most notably Marcos Winter, who plays Vincent, a character who develops significantly throughout the series; Simone Spoladore, who plays Dora and Adriano Garib, who plays her husband, Manolo, the man who runs the studio. Given the nature of the films made at Magnifica there is surprisingly little in the way of 'embarrassing material'; just the occasional short topless scene or a bare backside. There are some disturbing scenes; most notably when characters are tortured with electricity and secondary characters are killed. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of subtitled drama of course if you understand Portuguese you can enjoy it without the subtitles.
These comments are based on watching the first season; I hope the second season is shown here too one day.