Maria Luisa Mendonça
Maria Luisa Mendonça is an award-winning actress trained at the Casa de Arte das Laranjeiras, who stood out on stage in adaptations of Nelson Rodrigues, Pirandello, and Shakespeare, such as the classics "Vestido de Noiva" (1987, Dir. Carlos Wilson), "Os Gigantes da Montanha" (1991), and "Romeu e Julieta" (1992), directed by Moacyr Góes. In 2003, she performed in "Os Sete Afluentes do Rio Ota," a play lasting five hours, directed by Monique Gardenberg. She was applauded for her performance in "Bonde Chamado Desejo" (2015–16, Dir. Rafael Gomes), which earned her critical acclaim and major theater awards.
On television, she appeared in series and miniseries such as "Magnífica 70" (2015, HBO), "Desnude" (2018, GNT), "Boca de Lixo" (2015, HBO), "Sessão de Terapia" (2012, GNT), "Queridos Amigos" (2018, Globo), "Aline" (2011, Globo), "Mandrake" (2007, HBO), "Verdades Secretas" (2021, Globo), and Globo's soap operas "Segundo Sol" (2018), "Além do Horizonte" (2013), "Viver a Vida" (2009), and "Senhora do Destino" (2004).
She has a long and award-winning career in cinema, acting in films such as "Meu Álbum de Amores" (2021, Dir. Rafael Gomes), "O Olho e a Faca" (2018, Dir. Paulo Sacramento), "Habi, la Extranjera" (2018, Dir. María Florencia Alvarez), "Luz nas Trevas" (2018, Dir. Helena Inês), "Amanhã Nunca Mais" (2011, Dir. Tadeu Jungle), having been nominated for Best Actress awards for her roles in "Carandiru" (2003, Dir. Hector Babenco) and "Coração Iluminado" (1998, Dir. Hector Babenco) at the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro and the Cannes Film Festival.