10 September 2012 (2012-09-10) – 8 March 2013 (2013-03-08)
Lado a Lado (Portuguese pronunciation:[ˈladwɐˈladu]; Side by Side) is a Brazilian telenovela produced and broadcast by TV Globo from 10 September 2012 to 8 March 2013.
Set in Rio de Janeiro's beginning of the 20th century, Lado a Lado tells the story of a friendship between two women: Isabel (Camila Pitanga), a descendant of a poor slave, and Laura (Marjorie Estiano), a white girl, daughter of a baroness. Despite their very different origins and backgrounds, the two girls become very close while aspiring to a future of equality between men and women, and between black and white people. They meet on their wedding day and build a friendship capable of shaking the tree of Constância (Patrícia Pillar), Laura's mother, a baroness traditionalist. [2][3][4][5]
Two albums with music from the telenovela were released by Som Livre. One containing the national soundtrack, was released in November 2012,[7] and the second one, containing the instrumental soundtrack, was released in February 2013.[8]
The drama of illegitimate children, represented by Isabel and Albertinho (Rafael Cardoso), Edgar and Catarina (Alessandra Negrini) and other characters.[39][40]
The prejudice suffered by single mothers (as Isabel and Catarina) and divorced women (as Laura), and social and cultural inclusion of lower classes and African descent, as José Maria (Lázaro Ramos) and Isabel, after the end of the slavery and monarchy.[41][42]
Sexual harassment and attempted rape of Laura.[43][44]
Discussions on religious freedom and inclusion of African-Brazilian culture (samba, capoeira, candomblé), as Tia Jurema (Zezé Barbosa), Isabel and José Maria.[45][46][47][48]
The admission of Laura in a sanatorium, for being studious and oppositional.[49][50][51][52]
The origin of soccer in Brazil by the elite, and the exclusion of the lower classes.[53][54][55]
Lado a Lado was licensed to CCTV. The deal marks a significant move, given the notorious difficulty of market penetration in China for foreign TV productions. It also strengthens Globo's close relationship with CCTV, which previously acquired further Globo programming such as classic telenovela Escrava Isaura and mini-series Mulher [pt].[61]