Creator, Director of ‘Vanda’ Talk About Their Heist Drama for Legendary Televisions – Berlin

variety.com:

Holly Jones Set in Costa da Caparica, Portugal, amidst the 2008 economic crisis, “Vanda” – which screened at Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market – tells the true-to-life story of distressed hairdresser turned unlikely criminal Dulce Caroço.Our titular character, played by Gabriella Barros (“Al Berto”), is introduced as she lies on the floor, vacant-faced, smoking a cigarette.

Moments later, we see her doused in disguise, a blond wig and oversized sunglasses.In this hour-long, crime-heist episodic, created by Patrícia Müller (“Madre Paula”) and directed by Simão Cayatte (“A Viagem”), Vanda goes from surviving to destitute in a matter of scenes.

Her beauty salon seats sit largely empty. Her deadbeat husband is out of work and has used up all of her money, leaving bills unpaid and the bank breathing down her neck.

Desperate to provide for her children, she resolves to turn their lives around by robbing a bank. The EFM preview of this co-production between Legendary Television, SPi and La Panda Productions hints at further uncovering Vanda’s motives as she narrowly avoids an overzealous criminal profiler.Led by an enigmatic Barros, the cast is rounded out with compelling performances from João Baptista (“Luz Vermelha”), Pedro Casablanc (“Isabel”), Raul Prieto (“Hierro”), Joana de Verona (“Mysteries of Lisbon”), and Isabél Zuaa (“O Complexo”).Müller and Cayatte spoke with Variety on “Vanda,” and its underlying themes:Is ‘Vanda’ a story of empowerment for our lead?Müller: Definitely, yes.