Latin Blood – The Ballad of Ney Matogrosso has arrived on Netflix, bringing the story of one of Brazil’s most iconic and defiant performers to screens around the world. Originally released in Brazil under the title Homem com H, the film chronicles the rise of a queer artist who captivated the country with his fearless performances and emotional intensity—even during the repressive years of Brazil’s military dictatorship.
A Complex Role, Masterfully Played
At the heart of the film is Jesuíta Barbosa, in what may be the most demanding and accomplished role of his career. Far from imitation, Barbosa offers a deeply layered portrayal of Ney Matogrosso—capturing not only his physical gestures and vocal cadence, but also the subtle emotional shifts between public spectacle and private vulnerability. His performance is immersive, precise, and emotionally arresting, elevating the biopic to something far more intimate and resonant.
From Repression to Reinvention
Born in 1941 in Mato Grosso do Sul, Ney Matogrosso grew up under the control of a strict military father who sought to suppress any sign of nonconformity. After enduring years of repression and humiliation, Ney left home and moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he served briefly in the armed forces before discovering his true calling: the stage.
Under the direction of Esmir Filho, Latin Blood traces Ney’s trajectory with care and intensity. From his theatrical debut with the band Secos & Molhados—whose masked, glitter-drenched aesthetic predated glam rock—to his solo breakout with Homem de Neanderthal in 1975, the film weaves music, politics, and queerness into a powerful narrative of liberation.
A Bond Between Icons
One of the emotional high points of the film is Ney’s relationship with fellow music legend Cazuza, played with nuance by Jullio Reis. More than a love story, their connection is portrayed as a meeting of two fearless spirits—artists who understood fame as both armor and exposure. Their scenes together, particularly those set against the backdrop of Brazil’s conservative climate in the 1980s, carry the weight of desire, camaraderie, and mutual recognition. It’s a relationship rendered with tenderness, tension, and cultural resonance.
Music as a Political Statement
The biopic doesn’t shy away from showing how Ney’s body, voice, and aesthetic became a form of resistance. In performances of “Bandido Corazón,” “Rosa de Hiroshima,” and the iconic “Homem com H,” the film shows how each appearance on stage was a provocation—an act of visibility in a country that sought to erase identities like his.
One of the film’s most moving scenes depicts a moment of emotional reckoning between Ney and his father. As Ney performs “O Mundo é um Moinho” to a full house, his father, seated in the audience, is overcome by emotion. Without words, the scene reveals a fragile bridge between rejection and reconciliation—anchored by Ney’s unwavering presence.
A Cultural Force That Endures
While the film doesn’t address the well-known controversy involving the American band Kiss, the parallels are impossible to ignore. Ney has long stated that Kiss adopted elements of Secos & Molhados’ theatricality after being exposed to the band’s imagery in Latin America. Whether coincidence or homage, the visual similarities remain part of a fascinating cultural debate.
Today, at 83 years old, Ney Matogrosso continues to perform with remarkable vitality. His stage presence—bold, sensual, and unapologetically queer—is as commanding now as it was five decades ago. The film acknowledges this legacy not as nostalgia, but as continuity: a performer who remains as relevant and provocative as ever.
