"Renascer", o negro em cena: um estudo sobre permanências e rupturas na representação da negritude no remake da telenovela

Abstract

This dissertation aims to analyze the representation of the Black population in the 2024 remake of the Brazilian telenovela Renascer, comparing it to the original 1993 version. The study is structured into three main chapters. The first explores the historical trajectory of Black people in Brazil, from the transatlantic slave trade to contemporary capitalist relations, drawing on the works of Djamila Ribeiro, Abdias Nascimento, bell hooks, Albert Memmi, and Laurentino Gomes. The second chapter focuses on telenovelas as a cultural product and their reciprocal influence on Brazilian society. Key references include Milly Buonanno, Maria Carmem Jacob de Souza, Rosane Svartman and Joel Zito Araujo, whose work on Benedito Ruy Barbosa sheds light on the portrayal of rural and popular themes in television drama. The third chapter presents a comparative analysis of both versions of Renascer, focusing on three characters: Maria Santa, Flor, and Juliete, assessing changes related to race. This analysis questions whether such changes indicate a genuine concern with racial representation or serve as superficial adjustments. By examining how Black female characters are portrayed and the depth of their narratives, the dissertation seeks to contribute to the broader discussion of structural racism and Black representation in Brazilian media. The ultimate goal is to highlight the necessity for television productions to go beyond tokenism and engage meaningfully with the realities experienced by Black individuals in Brazil.