If we've learned one thing about Telenovelas so far in class, it's that viewers take them very seriously. Some practically worship the actors and actresses in them. Others watch the dramas almost religiously every day. It is easy to say that telenovelas consume the lives of their avid viewers.
But where does the telenovela end and reality start?
Sometimes the line between telenovela and reality is very thin. In the documentary we watched in class today, we saw just a few examples of the line being blurred. In one instance, a poor mother actually sold her fridge so that she could buy a television. She said that with the TV, she could sit her kids down in front of it and the rest of the world would disappear. It's hard for me to imagine a reality in which a TV would ever be more important than a refrigerator. TVs are luxury items, but refrigerators are practically a necessity! It is amazing to see the lengths to which some fans will go to watch their telenovelas.
Another, more dramatic, example is the one in Brazil about Daniella Perez. Perez was a beloved actress in Brazilian telenovelas, and, at this time, was currently starring in De Corpo e Alma. Perez was the daughter of Glória Perez, a distinguished telenovela writer. At the time of her death, Daniella was playing Yasmin, the young beautiful girl that is a typical character in many telenovelas rosas. Yasmin and the other protagonist, Bira (played by Guillherme de Pádua), fell in love, but Yasmin fell out of love with Bira and Bira is very upset at Yasmin. That episode ends, but this is where the real drama happens. That night, Guillherme de Pádua takes a pair of scissors and stabs Daniella to death.
People that say telenovelas are not a big deal are wrong. Telenovelas are a huge deal. They are potentially life and death!
Can y'all think of any other examples of reality and telenovela being mixed together?
This may not be a matter of reality and telenovelas being mixed together, but I do feel that telenovelas, more specifically telenovelas rosas, are reinforcing and advancing the notion that a woman 1) must have a man and 2) specific physical traits are necessary for a "better" life. As discussed in class, telenovelas showcase the patriarchy and with these high amounts of consumption, viewers will see only that as the correct way of life. Young children and teens especially will continue these gender roles if that is what is presented. Additionally, these telenovelas present a specific look for women - lighter skin, silky hair and slender bodies. Not every woman in Latin America, or even the world, looks like that. What is presented in the telenovela will be thought of as what is acceptable and desired in our reality which can blur the lines of normality.
ReplyDeleteHey John!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree on the topic of people mixing together reality and telenovelas, especially after Dr. A's explanation of what happened to Daniella Perez.
Though a bit different than the example in Brazilian documentary, the things that happen to these actors and actresses affects their audiences significantly as well. Back in 2014, a popular Venezuelan telenovela actress by the name of Monica Spear was shot and killed. She stared in a Telemundo production called Pasión Prohibida, which my family adored. The only reason I knew about this was due to how upset my mother and sister were. Not only were they upset, but so were my aunts.
Telenovelas are definitely a big deal. From the actresses involving themselves in life and death situations due to their star status, to being heavily adored by their fans, these people are incredibly important and the fans make it known. The fact that people are willing to sacrifice necessities in life, such as the refrigerator example, and are hurt in reality by negative events illustrates the complex blending of reality and telenovelas.
Odd that it replied as "Anonymous," but this is my comment.
DeleteCheers!
John,
DeleteI really like your thought provoking examples of the blurred lines between reality and fiction in telenovelas. In my telenovela, La Reina del Sur, I have noticed this tie to is particularly strong. Both in La Reina del Sur and other narco-trafficking telenovelas, violence is a huge part of the theme. The violence I have observed in my telenovela and in other telenovelas shown in class is very similar to that observed in the news. Violent themes such as gang rape are often implied or even portrayed throughout telenovelas, highlighting this harsh reality through a fictitious plot.