Before you continue reading, I invite you to listen to the playlist that Ana Petta curated on our Spotify:
Surrounded by the serenity of nature, Ana Petta walks barefoot on the soft grass of a square, embracing her camera (an item she never parts with) while Halyson, our photographer, seeks to capture the magic of the moments lived.
As female creators, we observe the world and have stories to tell, choosing to create from our own perspectives rather than simply reproduce what is said.
Thus begins our conversation with the actress and director of multiple works, currently starring in the series “Unidade Básica” on Universal TV, and whose curriculum includes a pre-nomination for the 2023 Oscar for her impactful documentary “Quando Falta o Ar” (When the Air is Lacking).
During makeup and hair, Italo Saliccio, responsible for the beauty of the shoot, comments: “I kept a very clean style, just to enhance the natural beauty she already has.”
Comfortably dressed in a handmade blue cardigan, an exclusive creation by stylist Fernanda from Le Retrô, Ana smiles, admiring the result of her photos.
After a brief break to recharge her energy, she immerses herself in the universe of costumes carefully chosen by stylist Jessica Rampazzo. Both the brand and the clothing pieces need to align with Ana’s universe. And thus, she prepares for an exclusive photo shoot for D’Idées magazine. The actress and director’s inexhaustible energy reveals that she is ready for yet another challenge!
Our meeting is marked by an engaging conversation, where the artist shares details of her career, impactful projects, and plans for the future.
Born in Campinas, Ana is not just an artist; she is a creator who, with sensitivity, shapes her journey amidst the challenges and the limelight, between the poetry of theater and the magic of cinema.
With a degree in performing arts from USP, she began her career in theater, where she was part of the São Jorge de Variedades Company and the Cia do Latão in São Paulo for a long time, and also had the experience of traveling throughout the country presenting her plays. “The work was always very collective, where the actors are also authors of the works,” she says. All this experience completed her formation as an artist and initiated her transition to audiovisual, giving rise to the duality of a creator who transcends stories, reflecting life in art.
Ana made her debut in one of Brazil’s first television series, “9mm: São Paulo” (2008-2011), playing Paula Faria. Soon after, she conceived and produced the documentary “Repare Bem” (2013), by acclaimed director Maria de Medeiros, whom Ana emphasized as “a reference for me.”
She plays an incredibly important role in the world of entertainment, not only as a filmmaker but as a standout woman. Her presence is like a bright light in an industry where male voices often dominate. She challenges stereotypes and paves the way, redefining cinema to inspire new generations and give space to authentic and diverse stories.
Her impact goes beyond the screens, showing her commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the transformative power of art, and her multifaceted talent is celebrated by awards, including a “Kikito” for Best Film for “Repare Bem” at the Gramado Film Festival and a pre-nomination for the “2023 Oscar” for her impactful documentary “Quando Falta o Ar.”
I feel a great evolution in the field. Previously, it was rare to see women in leadership positions in creation and technical aspects, such as cinematography, screenwriting, and directing. It was difficult to have women in those positions. In directing, there were very few, but nowadays, we see women in all areas working on set. This is incredible and creates a completely different environment on set. There is still much to conquer, but I feel a very strong change. It is very important when we occupy these spaces.
Ana Petta is not only enthusiastic about portraying Brazil on screen but also about sharing this passion with her children, showing them the country through travels whenever possible. Born into a deeply politicized family and passionate about Brazil, she portrays this perspective in every project she undertakes, carrying with her a genuine love for the people, Brazilian culture, and a commitment to fighting inequalities.
“I try to convey this to my children. Our country is very rich in everything; it cannot be so unequal.” Thus, she seeks to transmit these values to her children, aware of the richness and diversity of the country and the importance of not allowing the persistence of inequalities that affect our nation.
Unidade Básica
Changing the perception of public health in Brazil
We love making the series so much, we get so involved... All we hope is that the audience is touched too.
Ana Petta and her sister, Helena Petta, a filmmaker and practicing physician, dared to fill a gap in the Brazilian narrative: the lack of series that portray the scenario of public health in Brazil. The idea arose from family conversations and turned into the series that brought the Unified Health System (SUS) into focus: Unidade Básica. In 2016, when the first season aired, it offered a comprehensive and humanized view of health in Brazil.
The series not only involved SUS professionals but also challenged stereotypes related to public health, generating a change in perspective that resonates to this day. Ana and Helena not only told stories; they became agents of social transformation, addressing crucial issues, from women’s health to the recognition of healthcare professionals.
Being created by women, the series makes us look at women's issues. And it also makes us want to have complex women being portrayed: in most movies and series, women are always talking about marriage or about men or about children. They are very stereotyped, and I think that when you have female creators, like us, who are complex ourselves, we want to build female characters with complexities, like us, with all the issues we have. This makes a difference. And I do think that we always need to make a greater effort for everything, to trust that we can direct a movie, that we can create. We always have to make an effort to prove ourselves. For a male director, for example, the fact that he is male already puts him in a position of credibility.
At that time (when the series premiered), the predominant view in Brazil about the SUS was far from positive, but Ana and Helena had a clear goal: to discuss and celebrate the SUS, despite its challenges, and to recognize the unwavering dedication of the healthcare professionals who sustain the system in Basic Health Units (UBS). The series “Unidade Básica” brought a broad perspective on health, and its impact was so profound that it inspired a change in the aspirations of many medical students, directing them towards family and community medicine. The series addressed crucial issues for women, such as women’s health, and being created by women like Ana and Helena, this resonated even more with the audience. The series found a strong identification with SUS professionals, making them feel represented.
In addition to being the creator of the series, Ana also plays her role as an actress by portraying Dr. Laura: a highly competent professional, committed to the well-being of patients and deeply involved in her work, who evolves with each season. Her work as an actress, director, and producer reflects her ability to give voice to authentic and moving stories, contributing to a diversified and inspiring representation in the media. And the recognition was so rewarding that Ana and Helena, when participating in a Brazilian family and community medicine congress, were honored with a title of family doctors.
The fact of being a creator (producer and actress) when I act, all of this is part of an entire universe that I helped to build. I participate in every moment of creation. It's as if I know that very well, as if I had invented it together. As an actress, I feel like I am creating the series. This is very cool, although it requires more work.
In the series Unidade Básica, the cast and crew performed various different roles, creating a collaborative and unique environment. This collaboration allowed everyone to participate actively, both behind and in front of the cameras, which is uncommon in more segmented works in the industry. This diversity of roles resulted in a collective creation and strong involvement from all those involved. This collaborative approach, allowing everyone to participate and contribute, is a characteristic that Ana brought from her experience in theater, where the environment was also one of collective creation. This has become a hallmark of her work, allowing each person to leave their special touch on the production.
Exploring the reality of the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil
The unquestionable talent of Ana and Helena shines brightly in their latest productions.
In the documentary “Quando Falta o Ar” (When the Air is Lacking), a project authored by the sisters, their excellence was not only recognized by winning the prestigious “É Tudo Verdade” festival but also by being pre-selected for the “Oscar”. This film shows the commitment of the filmmakers to narrate authentic and crucial stories.
Through this documentary, Ana, Helena, and their team gave voice to healthcare professionals, exposing the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering a sensitive look at a critical period in history. Of such importance, the story was also portrayed in the series Unidade Básica.
“The Basic Health Unit teams from all over the country took care of and vaccinated people, despite enormous difficulties. This season is a tribute to them,” Ana Petta said.
Its third season recently premiered on Universal TV (also available on GloboPlay), exploring complex and touching narratives. The production delves deeply into the lives of healthcare professionals and patients, revealing engaging and emotional stories.
“When the pandemic began, I started talking to colleagues on the front line, and the stories were very shocking. This led us to produce the documentary When the Air is Lacking, and much of this material was also used for the script of this third season, which is all based on real cases,” explains Helena. From this experience, the script for the new season was created, which is signed by her, Cannito, and Marcos Takeda.
With the narrative now centered on the context of the global health crisis, the series will closely follow the UBS healthcare professionals as they face unprecedented challenges, highlighting their heroic struggles and tireless dedication amidst a critical situation. By addressing the pandemic, the series not only offers a sensitive perspective on the difficulties faced by healthcare workers but also sheds light on the resilience and humanity that emerge in times of crisis.
“We tried to reproduce in this new season how the health crisis affected primary health care and impacted the lives of professionals and the population served by the SUS. We show how difficult the work of these professionals was at the beginning of the pandemic, how they faced adversity like true warriors to defend the population of their communities,” explains Ana Petta.
Through their remarkable ability to turn observations into impactful narratives, Ana Petta and her creative collaboration with her sister, Helena Petta, are shaping not only how Brazilians view health and the SUS but also inspiring future generations to make a difference in the medical field and in the representation of women in the entertainment industry. Their achievements exemplify the capacity of audiovisual media to provoke meaningful reflections and real changes in society.
The cast also includes Carlota Joaquina (from 3%) as nurse Beth, and Vinicius de Oliveira (from Central do Brasil) as health agent Malaquias. Three other characters will be introduced: Dr. Mariano (Marat Descartes, from Rotas do Ódio), the new unit manager sent by the Health Department; Dr. Waldir (Rodrigo dos Santos, from Onde Está Meu Coração?), a doctor who works in the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) and goes to the UBS to pick up patients in critical condition; and Gabi (Fernanda Marques, from Um Lugar ao Sol), a hypochondriac intern who joins the UBS team.
The series is directed by Suzy Milstein, who also directs some episodes, as well as Ciocler and Cannito. The production is by Caio Gullane, Fabiano Gullane, and André Novis.
The third season of Unidade Básica is a Gullane production, in co-production with NBCUniversal International Distribution, sponsored by NBCUniversal International Networks, Inspirali, UniEduK, Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO), Brazilian Diabetes Society (SBD), and supported by the National Cinema Agency, ANCINE.
“It is an honor to represent and tell, in fiction, the story of SUS professionals, who were on the front line during the pandemic. The Basic Health Unit teams from all over the country took care of and vaccinated people, despite enormous difficulties. This season is a tribute to them,” concludes Ana.
Eternizing Memories
A deeply cherished theme to Ana Petta's heart is the preservation of memory, a theme that resonates in her work.
These are projects that echo stories that we cannot allow to be lost in the vastness of time (like the Covid-19 pandemic was, for example). Another point that draws her attention is the perspective of children on situations, which, for Ana, is a special tool capable of unraveling deep and authentic layers of the human experience.
When asked about her plans for the future, Ana shared that she is immersed in a project that originated from a remarkable story from her own life. She recalls the moving saga of a village in São Paulo, once home to numerous residents, who were displaced to make way for a new building, thus sacrificing a historic village from the 1930s.
With her unique ability to capture the human essence, Ana chose to tell this extraordinary narrative from the intimate perspective of her son Pedro (11 years old), when he was just 4 years old. This sensitive approach reveals a world through the innocent eyes of a child, offering a poetic and singular view of this momentous event.
This characteristic of focusing on childhood and the realm of health reflects Ana’s passionate commitment to exploring new narrative forms, bringing forth essential themes for the human soul.
Being a director, producer, and actress is about finding ways to talk about the things that I consider important, to tell meaningful stories in various fields: writing, directing, acting... I seek to bring my perspective, seeking a more poetic and at the same time critical vision of the universe I am working on.
Ana Petta continues to raise the standard of entertainment, leaving her indelible mark on the industry with works that inspire, inform, and move.
