Supernatural film about spiritist operations is one of the most watched
- --
“Predestinado”, a film that recently entered the Netflix catalogue, tells the story of the medium Zé Arigó, played by Danton Mello.
Image Films/Disclosure
Zé Arigó was a medium who became known for performing spiritual surgeries with the help of the spirit of Dr. Adolph Fritz, a German doctor who died during the First World War.
Personal Archive / Instagram
The medium was born in Congonhas (MG) in 1921. His story was recorded in the book “Arigó and the spirit of Dr. Fritz” (1974), by John Fuller.
Personal Archive / Instagram
It was around 1950, when he was 30 years old, that Zé Arigó began to develop his gift.
Personal Archive / Instagram
At first, his visions made him think he was going crazy. In addition to a strong light, he also heard a deep voice.
Personal Archive / Instagram
After many dreams about a man wearing a white coat, the doctor’s spirit appeared to him. It was enough for Arigó to run out screaming, naked, through the streets.
Personal Archive / Instagram
The medium then underwent a series of psychiatric examinations, which revealed nothing, and even an exorcism session.
Personal Archive / Instagram
With the persistence of the spirit that accompanied him, one day Zé Arigó decided to respond to requests and help a friend who walked with the aid of crutches.
Personal Archive / Instagram
And his “patient” was able to walk normally. Thus, the medium began to help people, according to his biographers.
Personal Archive / Instagram
One of his most famous patients was former senator Lúcio Bittencourt, at the time a candidate for federal deputy.
Personal Archive / Instagram
He suffered from lung cancer and doctors had recommended surgery in the United States, without much hope.
Personal Archive / Instagram
Upon meeting Arigó, they went to Belo Horizonte together and, one night in a hotel, Bittencourt saw a figure enter his room and perform surgery.
Personal Archive / Instagram
The next morning, the tumor had been removed, as reported by Bittencourt.
FILE/ESTADÃO CONTÚDO/AE
Zé Arigó was Catholic and, despite the Church’s disapproval, he opened a clinic that served, free of charge, around 200 people a day. They even came from other countries.
Personal Archive / Instagram
The medium still faced justice — he was accused of “healing” and sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Personal Archive / Instagram
However, he received a pardon from President Juscelino Kubitschek, who also had his daughter treated by Arigó to remove two kidney stones.
Personal Archive / Instagram
