Portuguese heartthrob Edgar Morais joins the cast of queer film Afonso’s Smile
The film explores themes of navigating sexuality at a time when homosexuality was not yet legalised in Portugal
By Aaron Sugg
Portuguese actor Edgar Morais has been unveiled as part of the cast of the upcoming queer film Afonso’s Smile, which explores themes of sexuality and identity amid the Portuguese Revolution.
Set in the aftermath of Portugal’s April 1974 Revolution, a time when homosexuality was not yet legalised, the feature film follows 16-year-old Afonso, who returns from Macau to live with his artist mother, Noémia, in Lisbon.
According to Variety, upon his homecoming, Afonso finds himself among Lisbon’s clandestine gay community, where he becomes drawn to his mother’s lover, an English journalist who shares his passion for books.
Afonso’s Smile is adapted from a previous work by Miguel Fajardo
Written by the feature’s director João Pedro Rodrigues, the film is produced by Luca Guadagnino, alongside João Matos and Fabrizio Maltese, and is based on an earlier work by Miguel Fajardo.
Fajardo’s original story was set in Colombia but was adapted by Rodrigues to take place in revolutionary Portugal.
Rodrigues told Variety that although Portugal’s dictatorship ended in 1974, homosexuality was not legalised until 1982.
The film explores the navigating sexuality following the Portuguese Revolution
“There was a conservative behaviour. The mindset didn’t really change concerning sexuality and openness to new forms of sexuality,” he said.
Despite overthrowing an authoritarian regime, the Portuguese Revolution did not immediately bring sexual freedom. “Those rights were not conquered at the same time as freedom was conquered,” Rodrigues said.
The director noted that the story is not necessarily about the “[political] revolution”, but rather the “revolution that’s also happening inside” Afonso.
Who does Edgar Morais play in Afonso’s Smile?
Morais’ character has not yet been revealed, nor has a release date been announced, but filming has reportedly wrapped on the project.
The cast includes Inês Castel-Branco, Margarida Vila-Nova, Rúben Simões and Cláudio da Silva. According to IMDb, Gustavo Benza has been cast as Afonso, though it is not yet known whether another actor will portray the role.