PRODUCTION Portugal
"Golden whistle" case inspires filmmakers
by Vitor Pinto
15/06/2007 - Utopia Filmes – the production company run by Alexandre Valente (see interview), which was behind the biggest local hit ever, O Crime do Padre Amaro [trailer] – has a new project in the works. The controversial best-selling book Eu, Carolina is now about to become a film, Corrupção, to be shot this summer by helmer João Botelho.
Written by Carolina Salgado, the book depicted the author’s six-year relationship with Pinto da Costa, the veteran president of the Porto Football Club. Beyond private revelations, Salgado also reported alleged corrupt activities in the world of Portuguese football, giving new impetus to an already ongoing police investigation, entitled "golden whistle".
The adaptation, which is said be inspired by the events rather than a faithful rendition of the book, will be scripted by Botelho's wife Leonor Pinhão and will star Margarida Vila-Nova as Sofia, a former prostitute who becomes the girlfriend of a famous president of a football club (played by veteran actor Nicolau Breyner).
The cast is expected to unite other famous actors, among them Rogério Samora (who previously worked with Botelho in the director’s 2005 Venice entry O Fatalista [trailer]), Rita Blanco and António Pedro Cerdeira.
The possibility that Corrupção will also have a longer, TV version – as was the case with O Crime do Padre Amaro – is still open, although negotiations were held with private broadcaster TVI. Lusomundo will release the film theatrically before the end of the year.
In the meantime, director Sérgio Tréfaud (Lisboetas, see news) had also contacted Salgado, to shoot a documentary with her during the trials of the "golden whistle" case. The project, which has not yet been confirmed, is intended to have a more legal approach than Botelho's film.
