Poder Paralelo () is a Brazilian telenovela produced by Rede Record that premiered on April 14, 2009 and ended on March 10, 2010. Folha Online. "Nova novela de Lauro César Muniz se chamará 'Poder Paralelo'". Folha de S. Paulo. January 28, 2009. Accessed April 13, 2009. Written by Lauro César Muniz and directed by Ignácio Coqueiro, it will portray a corruption scheme involving an Italian-Brazilian family. Prior to Record's official announcement, the media was referring to the telenovela by its working title Vendetta. Barros, Luciana. "Nova novela da Record se chamará 'Poder paralelo'". O Globo. January 28, 2009. Accessed April 13, 2009. It ran for one season.
Plot The telenovela focuses on Tony Castellamare, a Brazilian citizen of Italian origin living in Palermo. He maintains the image of a merchant exporter, but is actually the leader of the Sicilian Mafia. After an attack aimed at him kills his wife Marina and their twin daughters, Tony returns to São Paulo seeking revenge, at the same time he is investigated by the uncorruptible federal police officer Teolônio "Téo" Meira. Information about Poder Paralelo on Rede Record pressroom site . Accessed April 13, 2009.
Inspiration Poder Paralelo is based on Honra ou Vendetta, the only novel by sports journalist and cuisine author Sílvio Lancelotti, originally published in 2001. LP&M Editores. "Novela baseada em Honra ou Vendetta, de Sílvio Lancelotti, estréia em março na Record" January 27, 2009. Accessed April 13, 2009. The plot, however, had to be readapted, since the book contained only five major female characters.
According to Muniz, Téo is based on the federal police officer Protógenes Queiroz, responsible for the investigation and arrest of banker Daniel Dantas, accused of money laundering and convicted for attempting to bribe a federal police officer. Mattos, Laura. "Polícia Federal 'estrela' nova novela da Record". Folha de S. Paulo (link via Observatório da Imprensa). August 10, 2008. Accessed April 13, 2009.
Editing controversy The head of Rede Record vetoed Muniz from writing scenes featuring thighs, breasts, buttocks and coarse language. This caused a controversy in Brazil, as well as accusations of hypocrisy from the head of the network, once violent scenes, featuring as even as torture, remained untouched.
Main cast Gabriel Braga Nunes - Tony Castellamare Tuca Andrada - Telônio "Téo" Meira Paloma Duarte - Fernanda Lira Marcelo Serrado - Bruno Vilar Petrônio Gontijo - Rudi Castellamare Miriam Freeland - Lígia Brandini Adriana Garambone - Maura Vilar Gracindo Júnior - Don Caló Castellamare Lu Grimaldi - Mamma Freda Castellamare Karen Junqueira - Giana "Gigi" Castellamare Paulo Gorgulho - José Santana Maria Ribeiro - Marília Cecil Thiré - Armando Márcio Kieling - Alberto Fernanda Nobre - Luísa Guilherme Boury - Pedro Patrícia França - Nina Santana Bete Coelho - Vânia André Bankoff - André Campos Miguel Thiré - Douglas (Dog) Luma Costa - Bebel Castrinho - Leonel Pavão Nicola Siri - Paulo Garzia Antônio Abujamra - Marco Iago Marly Bueno - Sônia Meira
Soundtrack Soundtrack is the song "Bellissimo Cosí" by Laura Pausini.
References
External links Poder Paralelo official website Poder Paralelo at Rede Record Press Room website