“The Playoffs” (“Jogada de Risco”) has had its world premiere at SXSW London , the international festival unspooling June 1-6, whose mission is to bring the business, technology and creative communities together.
TV Globo, the largest producer of Portuguese-language content in the world, hosted the London premiere of “The Playoffs,” a Globoplay Original series produced by Estúdios Globo. “The Playoffs” is an adrenaline-pumping show that explores the behind-the scenes world of professional soccer.
Cauã Reymond (“Brazil Avenue,” “Anything Goes”), the series creator and lead actor, attended SXSW London alongside director Bruno Safadi (“My Name is Dindi,” “Belair,” “Sofá”).
A multi-talented actor, producer and businessman, Reymond has been a staple in Brazilian film and television for over 20 years. He’s performed in several films, soap operas, TV series and theatrical plays over the course of his career. His long-standing relationship with TV Globo and his participation in the mega-successful telenovela “Brazil Avenue” (“Avenida Brazil”) helped make him a household name in his native country.
In “The Playoffs,” Reymond plays Maurício, a former professional player who reinvents himself as a sports agent and has to navigate the personal and professional challenges that come with working in the highly lucrative business of professional soccer.
“I’ve always been curious about the world of football, it’s something that captures the imagination of so many people worldwide,” Reymond told Variety.
“The idea actually came about from the news I was consuming daily and from tossing ideas around with friends. I thought this theme could make a great work of fiction. I did extensive research throughout the entire project conceptualization phase, and the goal from the very beginning was to shed light on what we don’t usually see, what happens off the field and sustains the highly competitive soccer market,” he added.
The show touches on a number of contemporary social issues, like doping scandals and gay athletes in professional sports.
“We sought to portray the characters’ humanity and their experiences beyond soccer, even with the fast-paced style we chose. We faced the usual challenges of creative processes, but the development phase went very smoothly. Right at the beginning, we put together a dream team and had all the support we needed to gather everything necessary to tell this story,” said Reymond.
Soccer is like a religion in Brazil, and the series succeeds in highlighting the energy, enthusiasm and euphoria that comes with winning a championship game. The visually stunning soccer match scenes were filmed on location at the Nilton Santos Stadium (Engenhão) in Rio de Janeiro.
“Sports have the power to bring people together. And to me, that’s exactly what soccer is: gathering around an event to cheer together, socialize, and celebrate,” says Reymond.
“As fans, soccer is part of our Brazilian identity – for us, it’s cultural. Friendships in our youth are formed around it, and going to the Maracanã is a staple in our routine that allows people from different backgrounds and social classes to gather around the same thing and, in unison, share the same catharsis.”
“The Playoffs” was written by Thiago Dottori (“Monica and Friends,” “VIPs”) and produced by Isabela Bellenzani (“The End,” “Reencarne”). In addition to creating and starring in the series, Reymond says he also got a chance to direct a few scenes in the show.
“We have Bruno Safadi’s direction, who was brilliant and guided us throughout this journey. We were able to collaborate and exchange ideas extensively throughout pre-production as well as during filming. I was thrilled to experience directing, and of course, I intend to keep challenging myself in this role, exploring possibilities across other creative fronts,” Reymond said.
Cauã Reymond – Credit Fê Pinheiro
Set in Reymond’s native Rio de Janeiro, the “Cidade Maravilhosa” itself becomes one of the main characters in the series.
Reymond explains that Rio is “a city with a very rich geography for artistic creation, capable of bringing together a vast plurality of experiences and backgrounds within the same urban space. While it is cosmopolitan and deals with very pressing issues, it is also a city that ensures a life in constant contact with nature.”
“Above all, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We have easy access to the sea, a non-stop cultural scene and a vibrant sports environment as well. Rio is the birthplace of some of the biggest soccer clubs in the world, as well as other sports modalities. Rio is complex and passionate, effervescent, and pulsating. Just like Brazil.”
With Brazilian cinema celebrating a moment of glory with films like “I’m Still Here” and “The Secret Agent,” Reymond hopes that international audiences will embrace Brazilian television just as enthusiastically.
“It’s incredibly moving to see Brazilian talent recognized on such a scale, by major global audiences. For us, it was wonderful to host this premiere in London and witness the reaction of people from another culture, that exchange that art so beautifully promotes. The theme is universal, but our series has this Brazilian DNA, our own way of telling this story, our identity. I think that’s exactly what makes all of our audiovisual production so powerful.
The rest of the cast for “The Playoffs” includes Mariana Sena, Letícia Colin, Rodrigo Lombardi, Marcos Frota, Juan Paiva, Breno Ferreira, Cauê Campos, Ricardo Teodoro, Marcelo Adnet, Maria Bopp and Mauricio Mattar.
The show is set to premiere in Brazil this July on Globoplay.
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