Bingo: The King of the Mornings

Based by a true story, BINGO is a film about the man behind the mask. Augusto is an actor hungry for a place in the spotlight, following in the footsteps of his mother, a stage artist in the '50s. While starring in soft porn and soap operas, he finally gets the chance to conquer the crowds when he is cast as Bingo, a television host clown. With his irreverent humor and natural talent, Bingo makes the show a big hit, but a clause on his contract forbids him to reveal his true identity. Augusto becomes an anonymous celebrity. With makeup on, he brings happiness to children across the country but not to his own son Gabriel, who sees his father distancing himself as he searches for recognition. Filled with irony and humor and an exaggerated pop look from the backstage universe of Brazilian '80s television, the film tells the incredible and surreal story of a man who looks for his artistic value, and instead finds his personal decay. (Santa Barbara International Film Festival)