“Joãosinho da Goméa – O Rei do Candomblé” premieres on SescTV on 23/11, portraying the life of the leader who transformed Candomblé.
Controversial, bold, and visionary, Joãosinho da Goméa was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Afro-Brazilian culture. Black, homosexual, and a babalorixá, he turned Candomblé into an aesthetic and political celebration, confronting racism, homophobia, and religious conservatism. Directed by Janaina Oliveira ReFem and Rodrigo Dutra, the short poetically revisits his life, with Átila Bezerra portraying the leader.
Narrated in the first person, the film follows the boy from Inhambupe (BA), who, after illness and spiritual healing, began practicing Candomblé and founded the renowned Roça da Goméa in Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro. His unique approach to axé — marked by colors, music, and theatricality — made him a symbol of freedom and ancestry.
Rejected by traditional sectors but admired by artists and politicians, Joãosinho gained international recognition and was reportedly called the “King of Candomblé” by Queen Elizabeth II. Featuring songs performed by him and archival footage, the short shows a spiritual artist who turned life into an act of resistance.
“If Candomblé assumed a spectacle of light and colors, it was thanks to my Roça da Goméa. I cannot accept claims that I disgrace Candomblé just for adorning my orixás or enjoying Carnival,” said Joãosinho, highlighting his unwavering authenticity.
SERVICE
Joãosinho da Goméa – O Rei do Candomblé
Dir.: Janaina Oliveira ReFem and Rodrigo Dutra | Brazil | 2019 | 14 min | All ages
Screening: November 23, Friday, at 10:42 PM, on SescTV
Available on demand from 23/11 at sesctv.org.br/curtas
