Upon its release, Carlota Joaquina was not without its critics. Some historians argued that the film took too many liberties with the facts, reducing complex geopolitical events to fart jokes and sexual innuendos. Others felt that the caricature of Dom João was too harsh, or that the portrayal of Carlota Joaquina focused too heavily on her sexuality, bordering on misogyny.
Marieta Severo portrays Carlota as a powerhouse of political intrigue and sexual vitality, contrasting sharply with the timid, gluttonous Dom João, played by Marco Nanini . Carlota Joaquina - Princesa do Brasil -1995-
While many events are grounded in fact—such as the royal family's flight from Napoleon—the film leans heavily into caricature. It portrays Carlota as "sexually incontinent" and João as obsessed with chicken legs, using humor to critique royal behavior and the legacy of Portuguese colonization in Brazil. Cast and Production Details Upon its release, Carlota Joaquina was not without
If the film is a triumph of tone, it is largely due to the powerhouse performance of Marieta Severo in the titular role. Severo does not play Carlota Joaquina as a villain in the traditional sense, nor does she seek to make her likable. Instead, she embraces the character's monstrous nature. Marieta Severo portrays Carlota as a powerhouse of
She is Carlota Joaquina. Princesa do Brasil. And she is still plotting.
However, these critiques often missed the point of the film’s postmodern
Severo’s Carlota is a woman of voracious appetites. She dominates the screen with her physicality—her heavy breathing, her piercing gaze, and her uninhibited movements. She portrays the Princess as a survivor, someone who knows that in a world ruled by incompetent men, her only path to agency is through manipulation. It is a fearless performance that refuses to judge the character, allowing the audience to revel in her audacity.