Mistério no Seridó

Mistério no Seridó is a suspense and humor cordel created by Carlos Mello. Set in the countryside of Paraíba, it follows peculiar characters trying to uncover the murder of a loved one during a family dinner.

Challenge

Jun 5, 2024

To create an animated opening sequence for the feature film, focusing on building the movie’s aesthetic and narrative atmosphere, serving as an introductory element that sets the tone, rhythm, and central question of the mystery: Who killed the colonel?

Research

Cordel is a literary genre that records the history, culture, and identity of Brazil’s Northeast. It is characterized by rhymed verses and poetic narratives on various themes such as legends, myths, heroes, historical events, religion, humor, and social critique. More than just entertainment, cordel is a form of cultural preservation, portraying the imagination and daily life of the Northeastern people.

Storyboard

Visual references

Two references were selected to guide the creative direction and approach of the film.

The opening sequences of the TV Globo soap operas "Cordel Encantado" (2011) and "A Favorita" (2008).

Cordel Encantado

The opening of "Cordel Encantado" depicts the journey of kingdoms in ruins. On one side, a mother faces destiny to save her daughter’s life. On the other, the police chase the cangaceiros while a father fights to protect his heir.

Open tittles created by:
Hans Donner, Alexandre Pit Ribeiro e Alexandre Romano.

A Favorita

The opening of "A Favorita" portrays different perspectives on the same event: a murder. With a dynamic tone, the sequence introduces key elements of the plot, creating an atmosphere of mystery and ambiguity.

Open titles created by:
Hans Donner, Alexandre Pit Ribeiro e Roberto Stein.

Solution

The proposal was to create, in the film’s introduction, the narrative context of "Mistério no Seridó", presenting the key points of the story divided into character groups and narrative sequences.

Main Character

The Coronel