The “Rebirth” of JequitibáRei: What Happened to the Original Tree? See where the soap opera depicted the classic scene
In the longawaited premiere of the new version of the soap opera Renascer, the Fantastic Immerse yourself in a fascinating journey and awaken memories of a plot that defined Brazilian television drama thirty years ago. In this revival, Humberto Carrão takes on the iconic role of protagonist José Inocêncio.
The nostalgic plot, intertwined with the present, brings to light not only remarkable characters, but also a symbol that became unforgettable in the first version of the novel: the jequitibárei. One of the interpretations says that the name in Tupi means: “the giant of the forest“. The majestic tree figure, once a witness to fictional dramas and triumphs, is now experiencing a saga of rebirth.
However, the original Jequitibá, who seemed immortal in the first version of Renascer in 1993, met a tragic fate. The forest giant is now lying. And it wouldn't be surprising if they said it was a “killed death” at the hands of humans.
This is shown by a study carried out by Brazilians that was recently published in the journal “Science”. More than 80% of the trees in the Atlantic Forest, including the Jequitibá Forest, are at risk of extinction due to deforestation and illegal logging, making the tree “critically endangered.”
Professor Rejan GuedesBruni from the Biology Department of the PUCRio highlights the symbolism of the Jequitibá in the social and magical dimensions. She explains that in the first version of the soap opera, the Jequitibá tree broke after a storm ten years ago, but its old and fragile trunk had already completed its cycle.
“We revere the service he has done all this time, the story he tells us, a story of the city,” he explains.
Even in the face of the death of the original Jequitibá, a new narrative of rebirth emerges. The Jequitibá of the soap opera is reborn in the Três Picos State Park, in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, becoming a majestic reference.
1 of 1 The Jequitibá from the soap opera is reborn in the Três Picos State Park in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro Photo: Reproduction/Fantástico The Jequitibá from the soap opera is reborn in the Três Picos State Park in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro Photo: Reproduction/Fantastic
Humberto Carrão, as José Inocêncio, not only brings the character to life, but also inherits the legacy of Leonardo and Antonio Fagundes and passes it on to Marcos Palmeira in the second phase of Renascer. And José Inocêncio de Carrão shows how important not only interpretation is, but also the connection with nature.
“This tree has been around for so long, it's like we're borrowing some of that protection,” shares the actor.
The selffallen giant from the first version of the novel brings with him another impulse of rebirth. When a giant Jequitibá Rei falls, it opens a clearing and millions of microorganisms begin to decompose. The enormous amount of organic material becomes nutrients for the land and a revolution occurs: species that require a lot of heat and light appear first and begin a new cycle.