We’ve had a talk with talented Brazilian actor Cesar Brandi, who stars on the ambitious film Jaggers, currently in post-production and soon to be released in the US. Directed by Kathleen Harty, the film touches on the sensitive subject of mental illness and it is based on true events and letters written by patients of nursing homes who have suffered abuse.
Brandi is shy and graceful in person, which contradicts his powerful energy on screen. Actually, it validates his skill as an actor even more. Looking into his eyes makes you wonder where that hurricane of emotions comes from.
Meisner trained, the young kid is known for his extraordinarily intense performances both on stage and screen. He seems to find in turmoil, his stardom.
We asked him what was the most challenging part of playing a schizophrenic teenager in Jaggers: “Finding the true essence of that character was hard. A lot of us see mentally ill people as humans without a chore. But their souls are in there. Trapped and lost, but still in there. I did a lot of behavioral research and talked to a few doctors. Also, there’s a scene in the movie where I have to dance and mimic Mick Jagger’s dance moves. That was pretty hard (laughs)”
Make sure to watch Jaggers and witness Cesar’s performance later this year! It will definitely be a wild ride.
Cesar Brandi in “Jaggers”