Jovelina Pérola Negra

A documentary on the career of Beth Carvalho, the Brazilian singer who became a well known samba legend from the 1970s onwards, edited together from hundreds of hours of footage and audio files kept (and partially recorded) by Carvalho herself during her lifetime.

Since samba emerged in Rio de Janeiro, the presence of women has been fundamental to its creation, maintenance and perpetuation to this day. Muses, pastors, aunts, composers, dancers, godmothers, carnival dancers, mulatas, performers and even as workers, they form a panel of colors, feelings and sounds in the representation of this culture. This film takes a brief look at the history of some of these women, honoring and recognizing their strength.