Diogo on "The Enrique Santos Show"

(photos courtesy of EnriqueSantos.com)

While in Miami to promote the newly released "Son of God" DVD and Blu-Ray, Diogo stopped by the radio program, "The Enrique Santos Show."  Luckily for us, they filmed it too.  :)  Here's the video of this very, very fun interview, now followed by a translation of it, thanks again to wonderful Dina! 

(video courtesy of Enrique Santos/YouTube)

Enrique Santos (ES): Okay, he is known from films and television series. In Brazil, in Portugal, and in various parts of the world. But he is now internationally known as... 

Luisa Fernanda (LF): JESUS!!!!

ES: Or as Hot Jesus, which was very controversial at first. He's actor Diogo Morgado. Let's welcome him. He is with us. 

DM: Thank you. Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to be here with you. 

ES: How're you doing, brother? Thank you for your presence. This week it was released on Blu Ray and DVD, the film "Son of God." Here it is. I went buy it on Tuesday. I support.

LF: So sweet...

ES: Well, but some people say you are too cute to interpret Jesus. 

DM: No, no, do not know what you're talking about. Not a good idea. 

ES: You’re a very handsome guy.

DM: Thank you.

ES: You are very attractive. 

DM: I don't know that. My mom used to say that, you know? My mom tells me that, but I don't believe it. 

ES: Let's go point by point. What did your mother think when you said to her "Mom, I am going to play the role of Jesus Christ in a movie?" 

DM: Yes, when I told her, she couldn't believe it. I also didn't believe it. The truth is that the best compliment I received was from my mom. I wasn't in Portugal when my mom saw the movie, and I was worried because there are many violent scenes. So I called her and asked her if everything was okay, if she had seen and what she thought. She replied "Look Diogo, I just see you there for about 5 minutes. After that I didn't see you anymore. Just saw Jesus." For me that was the best compliment I have received throughout this journey that has been the Son of God.

ES: Because you gave yourself totally. How much preparation? How much did you actually do to prepared for this role? Because it's a big deal. 

DM: It is, it is. It's a big deal. It's hard ... wow, you changed from Spanish to English... you messed with my head.... 

LF: We've to say that although he's Portuguese, he speaks very good Spanish... 

ES: Yeah, he speaks Spanish perfectly... 

DM: No, no, I speak "Portunhol." This is Portunhol (Portuguese+Español.)

LF: But we appreciate it. When a person like you makes an effort to speak Spanish, we are very grateful.  

LF: Parlez vou français? (You speak French?)

DM: No, no, no, even worse. Then I’m done. Then I’m done.

LF: Portuguese then? 

DM: Portuguese no, you wouldn't understand. 

DM: Three. 

LF: Portuguese, Spanish and English.

ES: So let's talk in Spanish. 

DM: Yes, let's try. Let's try. 

DM: Portunhol. Portuguese and Spanish is Portunhol.

ES: Let's speak in Portunhol to not confuse you. 

DM: But you were asking me... 

ES: The preparation for this. 

DM: Tremendous. The truth is that when I knew, my first reaction was to read everything, study everything I could, see everything that was about the figure of Jesus. But the truth is that there was a time in Jerusalem, I saw along the Wailing Wall a child, 10 years old, with his father.  They were praying. Two or three hours later when I was leaving, I saw that they were still there, exactly in the same position. For me that was the moment I realized the importance of what was going to do, that it would have a tremendous impact especially in the life of this child. Because his father has other references. But for this child, Jesus would be the visual part of their faith and of their learning. I am also a father. I have a 4 year old son. So for me, this was very important. There is no book, there is no movie, nothing can help you. It must be something terribly authentic and completely moves you to what you're showing, which is the unconditional love of Jesus. I felt like a vessel for something greater than myself. It has probably been the greatest experience of my life. 

ES: Wow I imagine.  

DM: Wow I imagine. 

ES: It was more than work. 

DM: Absolutely. Without a doubt. A personal, spiritual journey ... 

ES: That changed your life. And it also changed, impacted the life of another person, too. I'll explain to you why. Not long ago I was fortunate to be able to also travel to the Holy Land. I was in Israel, I went to Palestine, to Jerusalem. And the weekend of Memorial Day, I thought about doing something. I stayed home all weekend and saw The Bible, all episodes, on Netflix... Itunes ... I think it was on Itunes. Well in one of the two I saw. 

LF: Sorry, but it should be clarified that this is the television series and then they made ​​the movie. 

ES: Exactly. That are 10 episodes. Well, I've seen them all, including the chapters that became the "Son of God."

DM: Well, "Son of God" is a more detailed, more personal and more emotional view, it's only the life of Jesus. "The Bible" is the whole Bible. Has the Old and New Testament. 

ES: What I also like is that explains it in a simple way, because many people do not like reading, and the location where it was filmed, and the fact that has you…

DM: It gives a visual perspective of what you believe, what you feel. 

ES: Exactly. 

DM: It was tremendous. You touched on a subject that is very important. Nowadays we live in a very visual world. So there are a lot of young people and children who have heard of Jesus, know who he is, but do not have an emotional relationship with him. That was the most important thing to us. "Son of God" is not a political film. It does not take one side. It does not cling only to the words. It tries, essentially, to explain the emotional side. You can see the crucifixion. Obviously it has a visual component. But what hurts you most is the emotional pain, because you are invested in this figure of Jesus. You have a relationship. Feels like you're seeing your best friend, your father or your mother be sacrificed. That was the goal. A personal, emotional journey and not just graphic. 

ES: And that is achieved, too, through a great actor. Critics also comment. It says  here (reads on computer) "actor Diogo Morgado 'Hot Jesus' criticized for being too sexy to play Son of God." How do you feel, what is your opinion when they say you're too sexy to play Jesus Christ? 

DM: It was a surprise... 

LF: I’m too sexy for Jesus… 

(laughs)

DM: This is new. I never heard this. I’m too sexy to play Jesus? (laughs) It’s too much… You kill me, you kill me. Awesome, awesome.  I do not know how to answer that. It was a big surprise, because as I said before, this was not work for me. It was a tremendous journey, emotional and personal. Very, very deep. Having a lot of people talking about what I did, and how they felt touched by my work, I am very happy and very honored. But then people talk about Hot Jesus, and I'm speechless, because it was a big surprise. But let me tell you something, it was like you were saying just now, that Jesus spoke in parables, trying to reach the greatest number of people. Right? Why not? This is a tool of instruction for many people. Motivation for many people. There are many atheists who say "I do not believe in anything special but there is something in this movie ..." 

LF: Some message was received. 

DM: Exactly. That's the best compliment I can have. Hot Jesus, obviously it's funny. I accept it as a compliment but we have to see it as a joke. 

ES: The most important thing is that the film reached its goal and you did a spectacular job. Do you like to sing? 

DM: Hmmm... I like to but don't know if I'm good at doing it.

DM: No way…

ES: Try "I'm too sexy for Jesus." 

DM: (laughs) No way… no way… Give me a classic.

(Diogo tries to sing a bit.)

ES: Now alone.

DM: No, alone no. I’m not gonna do that.

LF: And of course, we can't help asking you... about the World Cup? (Soccer championship coming up in Brazil.)

DM: Portugal… Portugal…

LF: You think so?

DM: Absolutely... Cristiano... Cristiano Ronaldo (incredible Portuguese soccer player)... Super Cristiano. Absolutely. 

ES: (to Luísa) Don't tempt him. He can duplicate him (Cristiano). He can return to his role of Jesus, back to Jesus again, and create a series of Cristiano Ronaldos.

DM: Yeah... Eleven Cristianos ... 11 ... the best team in the world. 

Host: Well, let's see. I say that Brazil will win. I'm Mexican, imagine... 

DM: Hummm… I don’t know…

ES: Diogo Morgado on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. It's already on sale the DVD of "Son of God." Let's support our brother from Portugal, a tremendous actor, and I know he doesn't like the comparison, but... he is our Hot Jesus.

--Sara

Tweet

Diogo on "CNN Showbiz en Español"

Diogo was on "CNN Showbiz en Español" to talk about the "Son of God" DVD/Blu-ray.  Below is his interview from the show, and the ever amazing Dina is working on a translation for us that I will add to this post soon. Gracias Dina!

Diogo on CNN Showbiz en Espanol
_______

--Sara

Tweet

Diogo on "Despierta America"

Diogo stopped by Univision's morning show, "Despierta America" to discuss the "Son of God" DVD and Blu-Ray, which is available NOW, so get your copy now if you haven't already.   Translation of this wonderful interview is now posted below the video, courtesy of our tri-lingual super-heroine, Dina.

Diogo on Despierta America

Host: Today coming to visit us is an actor of Portuguese origin, Diogo Morgado, who, in a masterful way, played Jesus in this super production that comes out today on DVD and Blu-Ray. So give a good day to Diogo. Welcome...

DM: Thank you. Thank you very much. What I like about being here in Miami... there's an energy ... I like it a lot. 

Host: You like it? And I'm delighted you're here, talking to us in Spanish... 

DM: Trying, trying... 

Host: No, you speak very well. And if you need help, we will help. 

DM: I have to change the [brain] "chip.
 Not Portuguese, not English, it's Spanish. Portunhol, I say it's Portunhol (Portuguese mixed with Espanol), but if you understand, okay. 

Host: Welcome to our home. Well, Son of God is a story of love and passion, which shows the more human face of Jesus and his strength, especially in the most difficult scenes. What does it mean to you to play Jesus?  What did you feel? .

DM: I can tell you that it felt like my purpose in life. Because I grew up with Jesus, with the Bible, in Portugal. So, to have the opportunity and the honor and privilege to make a story that is, for me, the most beautiful story that has ever been told, is surely something that changed my life and showed me the way. When I was on the cross, I can tell you that there was a time when I was completely crushed, because I felt that everything I had lived until that moment, was for that purpose. It's hard for me to describe because it is something so tremendous, it is difficult to talk about. 

Host: I get goosebumps seeing these beautiful images. How does one prepare to play a character like this? For a role like this? 

DM: For me the hardest part was trying to get to everyone. Because Jesus is not a character. Jesus is something who is alive for millions of people worldwide. So I could not do it for me or how I think it would have been. Would have to do a message of love for everyone, all ages, all nationalities ... That was for me the hardest. Jesus was the Son of God, but was in this world as a human. So my goal was to be as close as possible to Jesus and show people who feel touched in some way, that maybe it is a lot easier than you think, to spread the love. We live in a very selfish time, I think. 

Host: I understand you. I totally agree with you. You say that playing this role has changed your life. How has it changed? 

DM: I used to think that only a group of people could change things. Today I am sure that sometimes just one person with a will, the will to smile, to spread love, makes a small difference. I didn't used to think that way. That changed in me. The concept of reality and how we affect everything around us has changed indeed.

Host: I'm delighted that you think so, because I am of the same opinion. We do not realize the incredible impact that a person's smile may have. 

DM: Amazing, exactly. 

Host: Now let's change the subject, because beyond the movie, you have some fans who adore you ... love you ... a lot of girls say you are the sexiest thing that has appeared around here lately. 

DM: I don't know what you're talking about, don't know what you're talking about. 

Host: Do you consider yourself sexy? 

DM: No, of course not. If you had seen me 2 hours ago when I woke up ... you wouldn't say I'm sexy. 

Host: I think you are. The fans can start giving their opinion on social networks. Write to us. I would like for you to invite people to go buy the DVD of this movie, because I think it's a movie that we have to have at home, that reaffirms the power of faith, the power of love and the power to smile at life in the face of adversity.  

DM:Yes, what I can tell you is that if there is something in you that cares about the world, and if you give importance to what today we leave as a legacy for our children, and the message of love is important to you, why not get the DVD of Son of God and also give it as a gift. 

DM: A great gift. I want to thank you, Diogo. It was a pleasure talking to you. I am delighted to breathe a breath of your peace. You're a fascinating man with your inner peace. Best wishes.

DM: Thank you so so much.

Host: Don't forget that out today, on DVD, the film Son of God, a wonderful gift to see with the family. And now we'll follow up with our girls. What opinion do our girls have about Diogo?

DM: No, no...

(After the interview, Diogo goes backstage to take a "selfie" with the male hosts of the show.)

Male Host: Diogo welcome to our home. 

DM: Thank you. Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to be here. 

Male Host: I speak Portuguese, very Brazilian...

DM: Ahh you speak Portuguese ... We are brothers 

Other Host: I don't speak Portuguese, maybe someday, but for now I don't speak it. However do you speak a little "soccer." 

DM: Indeed, speak a little bit.

Other Host: Good luck to Portugal (in the World Cup.) 

DM: Let's see, let's see. 

Other Host: Look, here we are 3 amigos and we have a ritual that is very easy. I say "we are 4 amigos" because now we're 4, isn't it? Then do (and they do the classic move from the movie, "The Three Amigos" to show Diogo how to do it.)

DM: Okay...

Host: No. Let's do it more subtle, more subtle. We are 4 Amigos... (and they all do the "move.")

DM: I was the one who made ​​the stronger hip movement.

Host: I told you it had to be subtle, dude. 

And all they all take a couple of pictures....

 

_______

--Sara

Tweet