How the production elements of 'Unsoul' benefited the TV show story
The production featured several post-production elements to enrich the plot
12-11-2020
Globo Studios` first release in the thriller category, `Unsoul` reached a Brazilian audience through the Globoplay streaming platform. With Carlos Manga Jr`s (‘Aruanas’ and ‘If I Close My Eyes Now’) instinctive direction, the audience picks up some suggestive elements that give an idea of the past and future in an unpretentious way. Along with a soundtrack and sound design contributions from Alexander Wurz (‘Cold Hell’ and ‘Dark’), the sequences of the series transmit a fluid, unique and mysterious universe.
Set in the fictional village of Brígida, a small settlement of Ukrainians in Southern Brazil, a soundtrack that surprises the audience was the paradigm shift that gave a freshness to the production. During the episodes, the plot is accompanied by Ukrainian songs, vintage pop and some elements of dance music.
Sound Designer Alexandre Wurs, responsible for some great hits in the thriller category, such as ‘Cold Hell’, ‘The Dark Valley’ and ‘Dark’, was directly involved in this Brazilian production. “The challenge was to prioritize key scenes in the series. We analyzed how we could transpose and highlight important scenes and incorporate them into a creative sound design. This is important for high quality content,” explains the German designer. “The music is well composed and positioned - that's why it was easier to create and incorporate sound design into important dramatical sequences,” he adds.
In `Unsoul`, suspense and mystery are showcased without supernatural effects occurring directly, as director Carlos Manga Jr explains: “Even if nothing is happening - or apparently nothing -, you feel uncomfortable in that atmosphere. There are supernatural elements because they are part of this mystical atmosphere; an atmosphere laden with metaphysics.”
The TV show premiered in February 2020, during the Berlinale Series Market. At the time, `Unsoul` was one of the most acclaimed productions at the event, highlighted by Variety magazine, which emphasized the quality of this Brazilian production.