The production company Santa Rita Filmes has filed a lawsuit against musician João Ricardo after he banned the use of five songs by Secos e Molhados in a documentary that would be released to be broadcasted on Canal Brasil by August, the month when the band's first album turns 50, but now the series runs the risk of being shelved. João did not authorize the use of classic songs such as "Fala", "Sangue Latino" and "O Vira" in the four-episode series, named "Primavera nos Dentes" and based on the book of the same name that tells the history of the band, published about 3 years ago.
The production company argues that the ban makes the documentary unfeasible because the songs help to explain the impact that the band had on Brazilian culture. Folha sought out the singer and composer, but he declined to comment.
João Ricardo's lawyers say in the lawsuit that the denial was given because the book that originated the series portrays him as a villain and responsible for the end of the band, an image that could be reinforced in the audiovisual production.
If the series is not broadcasted, the production company would be indebted to Ancine, the National Film Agency.
This is because the project has been financed by the Regional Development Bank of the Extreme South, whose resources came from the Audiovisual Sectorial Fund, one of the mechanisms for promoting culture in the country. In the lawsuit, the production company says that the debt could put its survival at risk. The project received a contribution of R$ 1.6 million and spent R$ 1.2 million.
Translated by Cassy Dias