The world premiere of the film "Play-Off" ("Jogada de Risco") took place at the international festival SXSW London, which will run from June 1 to 6 and is designed to bring together the business, technology and creative communities.
TV Globo, the world's largest producer of Portuguese-language content, held the London premiere of The Playoffs, a Globoplay original series produced by Estúdios Globo. The Playoffs is a gripping show that explores the behind-the-scenes world of professional football.
More from Variety
-
Piers Morgan said London's SXSW festival "could have done a better job supporting" Cenk Uygur after he was banned from entering the UK: "I'm a bit disappointed.".
-
Wild House Review: A wickedly funny black comedy that celebrates the despondency of Claire Foy and Richard E. Grant.
-
Tom Quinn of Neon praised "Obsession" and "Backrooms": "I don't see it as YouTube or anything, I see it as cinema.".
Kaua Raymond (Brazilian Avenue, Anything Goes), the series' creator and lead actor, attended SXSW London with director Bruno Safadi (My Name Is Dindi, Belair, Sofa).
Raymond is a multi-faceted actor, producer, and businessman who has been an integral part of Brazilian film and television for over 20 years. Over the course of his career, he has appeared in several films, television series, television shows, and theater productions. His long-standing collaboration with TV Globo and his role in the mega-successful telenovela "Avenida Brazil" helped him gain recognition in his home country.
In Playoffs, Raymond plays Mauricio, a former professional soccer player who retrains as a sports agent and must navigate the personal and professional challenges of working in the lucrative business of professional soccer.
«I’ve always been interested in the world of football, it’s something that captures the imagination of many people around the world,» Raymond told the publication. Variety .
«"The idea actually arose from the news I read daily and from discussions with friends. I thought this topic could be the basis for a great work of fiction. I conducted extensive research throughout the project's conceptualization phase, and from the very beginning, the goal was to shed light on what we don't usually see—what happens off the pitch and sustains the highly competitive football market," he added.
The series addresses a number of contemporary social issues, such as doping scandals and the situation of gay athletes in professional sports.
«"We aimed to show the humanity of the characters and their experiences beyond football, even with the fast-paced style we chose. We faced the usual challenges of the creative process, but the development phase went very smoothly. From the very beginning, we assembled a dream team and received all the support we needed to put together everything we needed to tell this story," said Raymond.
Football is like a religion in Brazil, and the series captures the energy, enthusiasm, and euphoria that comes with winning a championship match. The visually stunning football scenes were filmed at the Nilton Santos Stadium (Engenhão) in Rio de Janeiro.
«"Sport has the power to bring people together. And for me, football is exactly what it means to gather around an event to cheer, connect, and celebrate," says Raymond.
«"For us as fans, football is part of our Brazilian identity—it's part of the culture. Friendships are formed around it in our youth, and trips to the Maracanã have become an integral part of our daily lives, allowing people from different walks of life and social groups to gather around the same thing and, together, share the same sense of catharsis.".
The script for "Playoff" was written by Tiago Dottori (Monica and Friends, The VIPs), and produced by Isabela Bellenzani (The End, Rincarne). In addition to creating the series and starring in it, Raymond says he also directed several scenes.
«"The director was Bruno Safadi, who guided us brilliantly throughout the entire process. We were able to collaborate and exchange ideas actively both in pre-production and during filming. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to direct, and of course, I intend to continue challenging myself in this role by exploring opportunities in other creative fields," said Raymond.
The action takes place in Raymond's native Rio de Janeiro, and "Cidade Maravilhosa" himself becomes one of the main characters in the series.
Raymond explains that Rio is "a city with a very rich geography for artistic creation, capable of bringing together a vast array of experiences and backgrounds in a single urban space. Cosmopolitan and engaged in highly topical issues, it is also a city that fosters a life in constant contact with nature.".
«"First of all, it's undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We have easy access to the sea, a vibrant cultural scene, and a vibrant sporting scene. Rio is home to some of the world's biggest football clubs, as well as other sports. Rio is complex and passionate, a vibrant and pulsating city. Just like Brazil.".
While Brazilian cinema is experiencing a boom thanks to films like I'm Still Here and Secret Agent, Raymond hopes international audiences will embrace Brazilian television with the same enthusiasm.
«"It's incredibly moving to see Brazilian talent receive such recognition from a major global audience. It was wonderful for us to premiere this in London and see the reaction from people from other cultures—the kind of exchange that so beautifully fosters art. The theme is universal, but our series has a Brazilian DNA, our own way of telling this story, our identity. I think that's what makes all our audiovisual productions so powerful.".
The rest of the Playoffs cast includes Mariana Sena, Leticia Colin, Rodrigo Lombardi, Marcos Frota, Juan Paiva, Breno Ferreira, Caue Campos, Ricardo Teodoro, Marcelo Adnet, Maria Bopp and Mauricio Mattar.
The series is scheduled to premiere in Brazil this July on Globoplay.
The best of variety
-
What's Coming to Disney+ in June 2026?
-
What's Coming to Netflix in June 2026?
-
Tony Awards Predictions: Early Predictions Including 'Death of a Salesman' and 'The Lost Boys,' Plus Possible Records for Squibb, Lithgow, and Apple.
Subscribe to the Variety newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.