Series addresses the murder of a Brazilian trans woman in Portugal

The documentary series “Gisberta – Life and Death”, a co-production between Brazil and Portugal, brings to light the brutal murder of Gisberta Salce Junior, a Brazilian trans woman, which occurred in 2006 in the city of Porto, Portugal. Gisberta was tortured and killed by 14 teenagers who lived in a Catholic institution in the region.

The crime, which shocked both Brazil and Europe and frightened the queer community, resulted in investigations into the institution Oficina de São José, revealing psychological and sexual abuse and mistreatment, culminating in the closure of the entity and the suicide of its director.

The series, which will have four 45-minute episodes, is part of the growing global trend of productions focused on the true crime genre. The production promises to explore Gisberta’s story through exclusive testimonies from family members, friends, and people directly involved in the case, including the teenagers who committed the crime, now adults, as well as employees of the now-defunct institution, lawyers, and journalists. All will speak for the first time about what happened, revealing new perspectives on the crime and its consequences.

The impact of the Gisberta case was profound and multifaceted, especially in the LGBT+ community. Her story not only sparked debates about the civil rights of transgender people, but also inspired cultural and social protests. Gisberta was named after a street, was the subject of a bill, and her story was portrayed in various forms of art, including plays, books, and songs, such as the one performed by Maria Bethânia.

Created, directed and written by Rodrigo Rebouças, in partnership with Alice Marcondes, and general directed by Leonel Vieira, the series is an executive production by Cebola Guedes-Cebola and Luís Antônio Silveira. The co-production is carried out by the true crime division of the Brazilian production company Ultravioleta and the Portuguese company Volf Entertainment.

“Gisberta – Life and Death” is scheduled to be released during EuroPride 2025, in Lisbon, one of the largest LGBTQIA+ pride events in Europe. The series has already gained recognition, winning two categories in the pitching sessions of Conecta Fiction & Entertainment 2024, held in Toledo, Spain.

The expectation is that the series will not only bring to light the dark details of the case, but also amplify the debate about violence and the rights of the trans community.

By Ezatamentchy