After a long wait for fans of the Wizarding universe, “Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore” hits theaters tomorrow (14). The third film in the franchise, which takes place decades before the history of Harry Potter, brings a surprise to Brazilian fans: the participation of María Fernanda Candido as Visania Santos.
in chat with SplashThe location of one of the film’s scenes, in the Parque Lage, south region of Rio, Maria Fernanda recounts the challenges of recording history during the height of the pandemic in Europe. For her, who is 47 years old and has a career spanning almost 35 years, these were challenging moments.
We were in London together now and everyone commented on what a sense of accomplishment and victory we had to make this film at the peak of the pandemic…we lived through moments of display of resilience.
“One of the most important scenes of Vicunia Santos happened and we had to interrupt it because of security protocols. This scene was suspended for days and days. After a week, I went to start it again and at that moment continued from when people stopped. These are challenging situations that you face and never forget”, he recalls.
Maria Fernanda Candido as Visonia Santos in the poster for the movie ‘Fantastic Animals’
Image: Disclosure
But the challenges started long ago, still in the casting test, which was far-fetched. While in France with her husband, businessman Petrite Spahija, she helped her children – Thomas (16) and Nicolas (13) – to shoot the video and send it to production. The invitation to the trial came through Maria Fernanda’s European agent.
“One fine day she called me and an audition came for me, an audition for Maria Fernanda. She didn’t know the project because it was confidential, but she understood it was a big and important thing. She told me Asked to audition. And I did. It was at the height of the pandemic, so I had to do it all alone at home, asking for help from my kids, my husband. Then, we gave it on Monday, on Tuesday night the answer came that the character was mine”, he recalls.
At the time, she still didn’t know it was a “fantastic beast.” The name of the film was revealed only after the signing of the contract and the terms of secrecy. Maria Fernanda’s children were, of course, “extremely happy” to learn that their mother would be in the production.
“In their childhood, we used to watch ‘Fantastic Beasts’ in the cinema. So, it was a universe that I knew. Now, absolute fans are the ones who know the characters and the stories. When I said I was leaving So they were very happy. Do this one. Movie,” he says.
Who is Visencia Santos?
In the story, Visconia is the Minister of Magic of the United States of Brazil and is running for the position of supreme head of the International Confederation of Magicians. This election could change the course of the magic world.
“It’s a cameo. There are some scenes, I don’t say much, however, he has an act, a strong presence. So, I tried to study all the other characters, whatever was happening around him. To understand why she was there. An auxiliary function. She is the one who sees, what is present, it is not what drives the action, but how she reacts to what she is doing. Me I love this type of work, it gives me a lot of pleasure to do.” , Accounts.
Maria Fernanda Candido lives in Paris with her husband Petrite Spahira
Image: playback / Instagram
The third film sees Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) teaming up with sorcerer Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and his imaginary creatures to stop the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mickelson) and his army of followers.
“The central theme of the film brings up two ideas: one is a superior group and the other is a group that thinks differently, that people (wizards and non-witches) can live in harmony and equality,” he explains.
Maria Fernanda does not know whether Visconia will continue in the next films of the saga, which has already been confirmed with two more productions, but she hopes to continue with democratic ideals when taking power.
“Vicenia shows very clear signs that it is more aligned with this democratic way of governing, with democratic thinking. … I would expect her to follow this line and, in particular, of a woman in power.” In form, it can really bring a new form of governance to the world”, she says.
Maria Fernanda Candido has starred in international productions.
Image: playback / Instagram
other projects
This is not Maria Fernanda’s first international project. She has recorded productions in Italy and France. In addition to promoting “Fantastic Animals”, he is currently recording a project for TV Cultura which honors the 200th anniversary of the Brazilian Republic from the point of view of the native people. He then travels to Paris, where he will give a monologue with pianist Sonia Rubinsky.
“I’m really interested in good projects, even if the project is going to be in Japan, Brazil, Europe, it doesn’t matter. What matters is the text, the work, the story, the characters and the director”, he thinks. ..
