Melanie Chapaval Lebensztajn

Melanie Chapaval Lebensztajn? Yeah, she's a name that pops up if you've ever poked around Brazilian cinema or binge-watched telenovelas until 3 a.m. Her fingerprints are all over “Marighella” (2019), which, let’s be real, made some serious noise. That film’s not just another biopic—nope, it's a full-on political gut punch about Carlos Marighella, the guy who wasn't afraid to take a swing at Brazil’s military dictatorship. Melanie didn’t just phone it in. She helped crank up the heat, making the story raw and urgent, not some dry history lesson. But she doesn’t just stick to heavy drama. Flip the channel and there she is on “I Am Frankie” (2017), the Nickelodeon sci-fi teen show about a girl who’s, surprise, actually an android. Total 180 from revolutionaries and dictators, right? The show’s got this quirky energy, like if “Lizzie McGuire” took a detour into “Black Mirror” territory—but, you know, with way more heart and fewer nightmares. Melanie’s writing keeps things fun, a little weird, and definitely binge-worthy. Don’t forget “Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso” (2016). Now that’s a telenovela with claws. It’s messy, dramatic, full of wild plot twists—basically everything you want when you’re doom-scrolling for something addictive. Melanie brings a sharpness to the characters; they’re not just cardboard cutouts. There’s grit, there’s real pain, and yeah, a lot of over-the-top moments. She’s got range, no doubt. From resistance fighters to android teens to soap opera chaos—she’s done it all.