Diogo recently spoke to a couple of news outlets about "Virados do Avesso" ("Turned Inside Out") -- the comedy feature film he shot last month in Portugal. Once again, the incredible Dina graciously translated the interviews for us, found right below the respective videos.
Diogo discusses "Virados do Avesso" on SIC Noticias
Host: It's the return of Diogo Morgado to the Portuguese cinema. The actor will be "turned inside out."
DM: João Salgado [his character in the movie] is an absolutely normal guy, with his life, with his work, and he suddenly wakes up almost having the life of another person. In other words, he wakes up with his best friend in bed. And he is like, "Wait. What are you doing here Carlos?" We find out later that what happened is that our João had a small stroke that gave him amnesia. So he forgets that he is gay. That's it. A small detail.
Host: What happens to the character who as a writer, also faces a creativity crisis along with the memory loss, is the starting point for the comedy, directed by Edgar Pêra.
Edgar Pera (director): First there is a desire to make people laugh, which I think is achieved. On the other hand I think it also helps us to reflect on our attitude towards the roles that each character represents, what each is waiting for from the other, the prejudices that we have... I think you can laugh about it all.
(They show Diogo filming a scene from the movie.)
Host: The "Virados do Avesso" cast includes such names as Jorge Corrula, Marina Albuquerque, Nuno Melo and Nicolau Breyner. Diogo Morgado, who is filming a series in the United States, came to Portugal for three weeks to shoot the film.
DM: The Portuguese are very good at doing a lot with very little. And we should be proud of that. So this may be the biggest reason why I accepted this project. I cannot walk around saying for years that we can do it differently, and then when I am called to the forefront, not be present.
Host: The shooting of the film is in its final phase. "Virados do Avesso" comes to Portuguese theaters on November 20th.
Diogo discusses "Virados do Avesso" on RTP
Host: After gaining fame and worldwide recognition for playing the role of Jesus in "Son of God," and being christened "Hot Jesus" by American host Oprah Winfrey, Diogo Morgado plays now, in this film, a homosexual going through an identity crisis.
DM: João Salgado [the character he plays] is an absolutely normal guy who suddenly wakes up almost as another person. In other words, he wakes up, literally, with his best friend lying next to him in his bed. And he thinks "What is this? Uau Carlos, what are you doing here? I'm your friend for 10 years. What is this?" And he says, " You are my friend for 10 years but my boyfriend for 5"...
Host: A romantic comedy with a gay scenario, but with everything toying with preconceived notions.
DM: [We] play with the stereotypes that we know, that macho thing where he talks like [he uses a deep voice], walking around with the gold necklace around his neck, with his chest open, and for being gay, that which is "very gay." Playing with these stereotypes.
Host: Diogo Morgado, or rather João, then goes to the doctor to see what happens.
[Scene from movie] Doctor (Nicolau Breyner): You just forgot that you're gay. In the background is this. But the rest is all perfectly normal, so ....
Nicolau Breyner (actor): I have a very small role, which is a doctor who gives an opinion on a disease of one of the characters.
Host: The director wanted to make this story of prejudices, with laughs and a reflection on the present.
Edgar Pêra (director): The important thing here is to laugh, and to reflect a bit on what are the roles of society. What it is to be a man, what it's like being a woman.
Host: The entire film will be shot in 3 weeks. Diogo Morgado came here to do this from the United States, where he is filming an American series, because he believes in Portuguese cinema.
DM: It gave me special pleasure to come back, because I feel that we are moving towards a step we should have taken awhile ago in Portuguese cinema. And I believe this is the way.
Host: "Virados do Avesso" premieres on November 20th.
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Thanks to Dina again for the videos and translations.
And! Thanks to the “Virados do Avesso” Facebook page, we have a short but sweet look at a scene from the upcoming film, which trust me, needs no translation. :)
And! Thanks to the “Virados do Avesso” Facebook page, we have a short but sweet look at a scene from the upcoming film, which trust me, needs no translation. :)
(courtesy of "Virados do Avesso" Facebook Page)
Once again for you lucky fans in Portugal, "Virados do Avesso" opens in theaters there on November 20th.
--Sara
