ZAPPING: Other Lives

The Brazilian soap opera Vidas ajenas (Other Lives), which recently ended on Cubavisión, was much more than a simple recreation of the famous Prince and the Pauper plot, so prevalent in the soap opera world. Although it used identity theft as its main source, the story unfolded along more dense and complex paths, focusing on the ethical dilemmas of the star, caught in a spiral of decisions that went beyond the merely circumstantial. The narrative did not rely on easy sensationalism, but rather scrutinized the implications. It’s a morality tale of lies, power, and deceit, without shying away from the consequences of those choices.

Far from the more conventional molds of the genre, it was not structured as a typical romantic story. If anything, it functioned as a contemporary, certainly moralizing fable, where the focus of emotions was shifted to privilege themes such as ambition, inequality, and the construction of identity. This approach, unusual in the most popular dramas, connects it with a serious tradition of Brazilian soap operas that for years occupied the prime time slot on Globo television, the so-called "9 o'clock soap opera," at a time when television narrative also served as a catalyst for social concerns.

Produced during the difficult times of the pandemic, this work attempted, in some ways, to return to that line of greater thematic and stylistic density. Indeed, in the face of the increasing trivialization of many recent productions, this soap opera took narrative risks and appealed to a more attentive and thoughtful viewer. Of course, this spirit didn't please all viewers in its home country, where many prefer simpler and more empathetic narratives.

However, the construction of the story wasn't flawless. On several occasions, the deus ex machina was blatantly used, that narrative mechanism that introduces forced and implausible solutions to complex conflicts. Coincidence, more than causality. And at times, the accumulation of dramatic twists and turns made the plot almost overwhelming, giving the viewer little emotional respite, offering only a few opportunities for relaxation. This sustained intensity could have conspired against a fuller connection with certain characters and situations.

All in all, Vidas ajenas was an interesting offering. Beyond its narrative ups and downs, the seriousness with which it was thought and executed was evident, supported by excellent technical craftsmanship. It’s yet another example of Brazilian television's remarkable ability to create dramatized products that meet high quality standards.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSi Translation Staff