Elis Regina: Legendary Brazilian singer who left her mark 41 years after her death

Documentary He complements the public image of Brazil’s most idolized singer with candid recordings. Diva Elis, the artist who eliminates whisper strife bossa nova with a loud voice. Cursed singer Elis died tragically under murky circumstances (officially from a cocaine and alcohol overdose) in 1982 at the age of just 36. The documentary also supports this myth: Tom JobimThe musician who transformed bossa nova into a global object of worship, the composer to whom the Olympus of American jazz surrendered. Jobim, sovereign master The place that gave its name to Rio de Janeiro’s international airport. Elis and Tom face to face.

images Elise Regina and Tom Jobim recording at the MGM studio in Los Angeles One of the most iconic albums in Brazilian music They remained in storage for almost half a century, between February 22 and March 9, 1974. ripening time Roberto de OliveiraRegina’s former manager had to absorb the meeting of giants from which an album that fascinated world critics was born. “Elis and Tom It is a jewel, like a crystal. It is a diamond flowing in the beauty of the brightest place. It is crystal clear and perfect. “Every breath, every note of the piano is in the right place,” he says. New York Times Jon Pareles.

The unreleased images, full of expressions and context, do not disappoint. Large pearls are the most informal of scenes, sprinkled with alcohol, filled with laughter, enveloped in a permanent haze of tobacco smoke. Elis Regina moves her arms like a pinwheel while singing It just needs to be like you It’s a hard thing to imagine when you can barely hear it. Elis hugs her little son (João Marcelo Boscoli). Drink, drink and say this sentence out loud leave me alone. walking around angels With Tom Jobim. stole the glasses sovereign master in an intimate moment. Speaking Portuguese with one of the sound technicians.

During breaks, Elis and Tom informally performed classical music. Ari Barroso anyone Johnny Alf. Jobim proves to be an experienced guitarist. His left hand finds complex chords easily Caco Velho And Na Batucada da Vida, Pieces performed by Barroso with the unmistakable staccato rhythm he injected into João Gilberto’s music bossa nova. Oddly enough, the only footage of that meeting that has become famous (Elis tries to suppress laughter as he comments) March waters, Jobim singing with a microphone in the middle) does not appear in the documentary.

‘Elis and Tom’ album cover.

‘Elis & Tom’ album cover./Archive Roberto de Oliveira, who directed the documentary, said, “I knew I was witnessing a historical moment. From the moment I put the two together, I had no doubts.” Jornal da Band. But not everything was rosy. The record was about to go off the rails. Two stars collided head-on. Elis also came to pack his bags to return to Brazil.

From tension to love

Birth of the album Elis and Tom It didn’t happen spontaneously. Roberto de Oliveira had the idea of ​​trying to regain the prestige Elis Regina had lost when she came to sing at the 1972 Army ‘Olympics’, as detailed in the film. Left and cultural sector withdraw Elis’ status very favorite They turned their backs on him, accusing him of erasing the face of the dictatorship. It doesn’t really matter that Regina was forced to sing at that event after telling foreign media that “Brazil is run by gorillas.” After years of living in the United States at the peak of his career, Tom Jobim was a little resentful and sad. He thought Brazil had forgotten him. “The aim was to work with someone who had prestige and thus transfer some of that prestige to Elis,” Roberto de Oliveira admits in the documentary. Accepted thanks to Jobim mediation Roberto Menescalone of the founding fathers bossa nova.

“The conflict broke out when Tom Jobim learned that Elis Regina’s husband, César Camargo Mariano, who was only 27 years old, would play the piano and arrange the album.”

When Tom Jobim found out about this, conflict broke out Cesar Camargo MarianoElis Regina’s husband, who was only 27 years old, would play the piano and arrange the album. Tom, god of harmony, one and only, could not stomach the fact that an album containing his songs was musically directed by another person. Roberto Menescal and Roberto de Oliveira put out the fire by applying great diplomacy. In the words of Roberto de Oliveira, “It was the meeting of two geniuses. When these two geniuses got to know each other, everything flowed.” Elis and Tom It contains tension-filled scenes. Jobim speaks in a stern tone. Elis and her husband are uncomfortable. A loving silence after the storm. My job grew in the project. He was taking the reins of music. The magic of this meeting is synthesized in a scene where Jobim plays the piano Portrait black and white. Elis is standing next to him and singing. César Camargo Mariano studies the master’s chords with the magic of a dedicated student. Elis eventually hugs Jobim enthusiastically and shouts, “I want to die at the carnival.” after launch Elis and Tom The tour has arrived, the absolute success, the transformation and ultimate rise of the two stars. Jobim became widely known in Brazil. After this meeting, Elis started to sing in a more whispery voice and ascended to the throne once again.

Posthumous advertising queen

An infomercial hit Brazil like a meteor. HE clipsEvoking conflicting passions, extreme love and anger, the film resembles a secret promotional campaign for a documentary Elis and Tom. resurrect diva of divas with its unique musicality. In advertising, Maria RitaElis’s daughter was loved by the whole country after her success brave face (2003), singing like our countryrelated to BelçiorOne of her mother’s most famous performances was behind the wheel of a car ID.BuzzUpdated and electric version of the legendary story Volkswagen Combi, seventies perfection. At one point, an old Kombi appears next to you on the road. He is led by his mother, who starts accompanying him with her unforgettable voice in the song.

The person actually driving the car is an actor to whom the Artificial Intelligence gave the face of Elis Regina. Piece 70 years of Volkswagen. The new has arrived again –Managed by AlmapBBDO agency–, had a profound impact on television, media and social networks. The YouTube clip has amassed almost 34 million views. It’s a fact: Elis Regina’s version deepfakeHe continues to reign after his death, 41 years later. And it continues to cause controversy. Much of the left screamed at the sky, German car brand’s links to Brazilian military regime. Some media outlets published news about informants in Volkswagen’s factories.

Elis continues to shape the passionate conversations of a country. Documentary Elis and Tom Actually it includes: Endless debate about the death of the singer. famous producer André Midani He states that Elis committed suicide, but there is no solid basis for this. Images of Elis in his coffin reveal the suspicions and gruesome details of his death. Elis did not use drugs and died of an overdose. On that fateful January 19, 1982, it took more than an hour for the ambulance to arrive. Forensic director of the hospital Harry ShibataA doctor who signed the controversial death certificate justifying the suicide of journalist Vladimir Herzog, who was killed by the military regime seven years ago. Is Elis Regina dead, committed suicide, or was she murdered?

Elis Regina herself – his outside voice planning the scenes in the documentary– He seemed to belittle the idea of ​​his own death: “Things don’t end there. We come here to grow, to spend time doing things, and then move on to another life and have a better life.”