Honored at 94 in the special ‘Tributo’, Lima Duarte is more active than many 30-year-olds

Due to my young age, I didn’t understand the political message of the soap opera “O Salvador da Pátria”, shown on Globo in 1989. But I remember crying watching this story, moved by Lima Duarte’s performance as the protagonist Sassá Mutema. He was a very humble character, I could see that he was mistreated by other people, his physical mannerisms and way of speaking touched me, and his soundtrack was “Lua e flor”, in the voice of Oswaldo Montenegro, an overwhelming success at the time. , which brought tears from many people. Even before that, I thought it was funny to see Sinhozinho Malta shaking his watch with the catchphrase “Am I right or am I wrong?” an actor who has always touched me, since childhood. And it’s good that Brazilian TV realized that great artists from this country need and deserve to be honored during their lifetime. The first episode of “Tributo”, shown on Globo and available on Globoplay, was dedicated to the actor, and also celebrates other important personalities such as Laura Cardoso, Zezé Motta and the author Manoel Carlos.

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I was pleased to see a 94-year-old Brazilian man living in his home, lucid and happy. It doesn’t seem like a common reality for so many in this country, perhaps in the world, that puts an expiration date on people. And the due date, for a majority, comes well before that. But Lima appeared laughing, reading his books, enjoying happy parties with his family, admiring his carp farming… He remembered delicious moments, showing that he still has the truck in his garage that he got at the time of Sinhozinho’s boom. He shared his story and his background with actor Sergio Guizé, who, wisely, was an attentive listener. We need to be sensible to listen to those who have so much to teach, but this perception is often lacking when we are young.

Last April 23rd, Saint George’s Day, was my grandmother’s birthday, a devotee of the saint. Living far away, I sent flowers. I chose the red ones so that the strong color would catch your attention more. At 95 years old, already weak and facing a health problem, she doesn’t understand that I was the one who ordered her. But I received a video recording of her admiring the vase, caressing the petals and repeating softly: “beautiful, beautiful”. Maybe it’s just a way of comforting me, but I think that in some way my grandmother felt cared for. It was a way of making myself present to her who has always been and is so present to me. Even though, 20 years ago, I didn’t give her the time she deserved. Living abroad to go to college, when I returned to my city, she was always waiting for me with her wonderful cakes. She wanted to have hours of conversation with me, but my visits lasted about 20 minutes or half an hour. Because, like most people in their early 20s, I thought I had lots of other interesting things to do. If I could go back in time…

Since time doesn’t come back, we better think carefully about how we’ve been spending ours. Of course, seeing Lima Duarte with so much vivacity, I thought he had the privilege of working doing what he likes. Actors are lucky enough to experience other lives, use and abuse their creativity, with their minds constantly being exercised, which demands effort from them, of course, but also provides so many pleasures. Science certainly explains how much this influences longevity and not all of us have or will have this opportunity. But if it’s not in your job that you find motivation, you may find it in some leisure activity or in your relationships, to lead your days with joy instead of simply surviving.

I interviewed Lima Duarte at the time of “Caminho das Indias”. It was not common for us to ask to take photos with interviewees like today. But with him I dared. I did my work with the distance I thought was necessary, we talked for a long time and I was surprised by the actor when I needed to ask a question that I thought might bother him (remember the much talked about passion for Maitê Proença?). To my peace of mind, he was super receptive. I think he had already noticed my respect for his career. I always say that a journalist can ask anything, the secret is how you ask. At the end of the conversation, before asking for the click, I confessed that my admiration also had an emotional aspect. Physically, Lima reminds me of my late grandfather. I don’t think he liked it very much. He laughed when taking the photo asking if I was calling him old. “Tribute” shows that Lima is more powerful than many at 30 years old. Look!

Gabriela Germano is an assistant editor and has worked in the culture and entertainment area since 2002. She has a postgraduate degree in Cultural Journalism from Uerj and a degree from Unesp. Suggestions for topics and opinions are welcome. Instagram: @gabigermano Email: [email protected]