Simonal: No One Knows How Tough It Was, Screens on Feb 25 at 92Y.

The feature film Simonal, No One Knows How Tough It Was, screens on February 25, at the 92YTribeca, as part of Cinema Tropical’s Janeiro in New York film series. This year, the series of Brazilian films programmed by Mary Jane Marcasiano focuses on Brazil’s musical legacy.

Wilson Simonal

Wilson Simonal de Castro, a Brazilian singer, was born in Rio de Janeiro on February 26, 1939 – and died in June 25 of 2000. Having had a very successful singing career during the 1960s and 70s, Simonal’s star quickly collapsed when he was accused of helping the military government arrest fellow artists involved in political left-wing movements.

As it was expected, the accusations that Simonal was denouncing fellow singers greatly damaged his career – but until today, no hard evidence was found that Simonal was actually involved in the arrest of so-called “communist” artists. As such, many speculate that it was racism and prejudice that halted Simonal’s singing trajectory

“In an age when the talented were both revolutionary and eternal, Wilson Simonal shone like no other and innovated like few. With his charisma, kindness, swing, charm, sex appeal, and a lot of talent, he was the most successful star in Brazil and even made fans abroad. All of a sudden it was all over. Gossip, accusations, mysteries, patrols and pursuits; whatever happened to Wilson Simonal?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQER5RBU6n4

SIMONAL – NO ONE KNOWS HOW TOUGH IT WAS | SIMONAL – NINGUÉM SABE O DURO QUE DEI
| Directed by Claudio Manoel, Micael Langer, Calvito Leal | Brazil, 2008, 86 min. In Portuguese with English subtitles