Loba Latina (animated film)

Loba Latina is a 1999 Brazilian animated musical dramedy feature film based on the comic of the same name directed by Armandinho (also creator of the comic) and produced at Picapau Filmes, starring Júlia Cardoso as the protagonist Boni. It is a companion film to the comic of the same name published by Kirschner starting the year prior and was followed by a sequel released in 2002.

The film concerns a fledgling pop star who becomes a werewolf but still manages to become successful, prompting a group of antagonists who seek to destroy her career.

Summary
Bonita, a struggling pop star with confidence issues, travels with her family to Romania where she meets an ailing faraway relative only to get bitten by wolves. Although she seems to recover on her way home and afterwards, she ends up turning into a werewolf.

In a bizarre twist, this strange new look immediately propels her into stardom... leading to further bumps in the road such as a werewolf mob, the mafioso's daughter, a sleazy boss and an obnoxious journalist. But amidst all this, someone out there still loves her despite her lupine body.

Voice cast

 * Júlia Cardoso as Bonita
 * Caio Espindola as Marcelo
 * Heitor Bergmann as Dono Rosnaldo
 * Bergman also voiced Gaspar Gulosoares
 * Bergman also voiced Primo Daniel
 * Beatriz "Beatrix" Siqueira as Bestazinha
 * Flávio Sardinha as Furão Fermino
 * Marisa Barcellos as Sra. Chatabraga

Production
The film took less than 21 months to complete, beginning production in August 1997 sometime after the release of Cardoso's third solo album Raposinha. This was due in large part to Picapau adopting digital ink-and-paint technology as well as subcontracting to studios in Chile, Spain, Taiwan and South Korea.

In addition to Kirschner's involvement, the film was sponsored by Blockbuster Video, Habib's, Kellogg's, Wella and Pernambucanas.

Reception
Upon its initial release in Brazil, reactions were mixed with some praising the comedy, music, animation and original take on an oft-used premise but criticizing it for the pacing and issues with believability of the setting. It did modest business at theaters whilst facing competition from Disney's Tarzan and Doug's 1st Movie, The King and I and The Rugrats Movie.

Home media
The film was released on VHS by Columbia TriStar Home Video in Brazil on December 7, 1999, with bonus music videos following the movie. It was later released on DVD in 2002 to promote the sequel.

In North America, Columbia TriStar released the film on VHS and DVD on February 27, 2001 with English, Spanish and Portuguese language tracks on the latter format, also containing karaoke videos of the songs and trailers as bonus features.

Music
The film's musical score, consisting primarily of synthesized/traditional instrument fusion cues, was composed by João Teixeira and released on CD by Virgin in Brazil with the film's songs on July 7, 1999, just two days before the film's premiere.

Tracks

 * 1) Corpo Errado - Boni (Júlia Cardoso)
 * 2) Suite do Filme - João Teixeira
 * 3) Dono Rosnaldo - Rosnaldo (Heitor Bergmann) e Outros
 * 4) Transformar - Boni (Júlia Cardoso)
 * 5) Lá Vem Bestazinha! - Bestazinha (Beatrix) e Outros
 * 6) Força da Loba - Boni (Júlia Cardoso)
 * 7) Uuu-Iê - Mixmakers
 * 8) Amante Dentro (Lobisomem) - Boni (Júlia Cardoso) e Marcelo (Caio Espindola)
 * 9) Poder da Lua - Boni (Júlia Cardoso)
 * 10) Não Esconda Nada - Marcelo (Caio Espindola)
 * 11) Não Esconda Nada (Versão Créditos) - Novo Baralho