September Mornings
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Poignant LGBTQ+-themed series has cursing, sexual content.
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September Mornings
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What's the Story?
SEPTEMBER MORNINGS is a Brazilian drama about a transgender woman who is determined to live her life as an independent woman. A year ago Cassandra (played by Brazilian singer Liniker) left her hometown and moved to São Paulo to live her life as she wants. Now she is Cassandra, has a job as a courier, and her own apartment, which means her boyfriend Ivaldo (Thomas Aquino) can spend more time with her. Cassandra also performs as Vanusa, a romantic singer from the 1970s, at a local nightclub. Life is starting to look up, but when Leide (Karine Teles), a friend from the past, unexpectedly shows up with 10-year-old Gersinho (Gustavo Coehlho), Cassandra finds herself having to deal with a son she never knew she had. Leide wants Cassandra to help raise him, while the singer doesn't want the responsibility. Despite the guidance of Vanusa's imaginary voice telling her to pursue her singing career, Cassandra begins to bond with Gersinho, and wonders if it's possible to love him and live the life she wants.
Is It Any Good?
The understated series features the day-to-day struggles of a transgender woman who is finding herself while discovering the powerful connection between a parent and child. But September Mornings, the title for which comes from a Brazilian song by the late Venusa Santos Flores, also reveals the stress of being a transgender person in society that does not accept her, while simultaneously trying to climb out of poverty and build genuine relationships. Cassandra, who is finally finding her footing, struggles between wanting to be left alone to live the life that she wants, and the need to connect with her son, who is facing his share of hardships. The narrative is both thoughtful and honest, but the transformation of Cassandra's relationship with her son makes the show poignant, and certainly worth the watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what life is like for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Brazil and other parts of the world. Why is discrimination against members of this community so widespread? Is it changing? How?
How does the portrayal of transgender people in September Mornings compare with the representation of trans people on U.S. television? What do they have in common? Are there any differences?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 25, 2021
- Cast: Liniker , Gustavo Coehlho , Karine Teles
- Network: Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Empathy , Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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