O Rico e Lázaro

O Rico e Lázaro poster

O Rico e Lázaro is a Brazilian telenovela produced by RecordTV and first aired on March 13, 2017. The series is a free adaptation of the biblical story of the Rich man and Lazarus, which is found in the Gospel of Luke. It was written by Paula Richard and directed by Edgard Miranda. The telenovela is set in 600 B.C., during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, and it intertwines historical events with fictional narratives.

Plot

The story revolves around two childhood friends, Asher and Zac, who grow up together in Jerusalem but end up following very different paths as adults. Asher becomes a poor worker, while Zac becomes a wealthy man. Despite their different social statuses, both fall in love with the same woman, Joana, which causes a rift in their friendship. The narrative also explores the Babylonian Empire, under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar II, and incorporates various biblical and historical figures, including the prophet Jeremiah, the Jewish exile Daniel, and the Babylonian princes Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Cast

The telenovela features an ensemble cast, including Dudu Azevedo as Asher, Milhem Cortaz as Zac, and Tammy Di Calafiori as Joana. Other notable actors include Heitor Martinez as Nebuchadnezzar II, Christine Fernandes as Queen Amytis, and Kayky Brito as Haniel.

Production

O Rico e Lázaro was filmed in Rio de Janeiro, with some scenes shot in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood and others in a studio, where the ancient city of Jerusalem and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were recreated. The production involved extensive research to accurately depict the historical period, including costumes, sets, and customs.

Reception

The telenovela received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its production values and performances but criticized its pacing and script. It achieved respectable ratings for RecordTV, contributing to the network's strategy of producing content based on biblical stories.

Themes

O Rico e Lázaro explores themes of love, betrayal, faith, and redemption. It also delves into the social disparities between the rich and the poor, and the moral choices that define a person's character. The biblical parable of the Rich man and Lazarus serves as a backdrop to the story, emphasizing the consequences of one's actions in life and the afterlife.