Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Fernando and Quico Meirelles, Netflix’s ‘Rivers of Fate,’ also known as ‘Pssica,’ tells the harrowing story of Janalice, who is kidnapped by a human trafficking gang and forced to take part in a long and arduous journey. Two more characters, the reluctant leader of the gang, Preá, and Mariangel, an old woman who wants to avenge her family’s murder, complete this triptych. An adaptation of Edyr Augusto’s eponymous novel, the show unravels the layers of the jungle and dives deep into the heart of crime. In doing so, it also questions the trauma inflicted by these activities, which affects everyone involved in the equation. Janalice’s desperate attempts to find freedom become the beating heart of the narrative, and her journey takes her through the ins and outs of the Amazon rainforest. As such, how the region is brought to life becomes equally important in following the protagonist’s trajectory.
Rivers of Fate Filming Locations
Filming for ‘Rivers of Fate’ took place entirely in the state of Pará, situated in northern Brazil and home to a dense expanse of the Amazon rainforest. In particular, the cities of Belém and Marajó became the primary shooting locations, bringing the essence of the landscape and its culture together. Filming reportedly began in the first week of July 2024, with principal photography introducing the three main characters. The production ended sometime around October of the same year, and was officially described as an immersive experience set in northern Brazil. Special attention was given to filming on water, resulting in unique set work.
Belém Metropolitan Area, Brazil
To tape many of the sequences in ‘Rivers of Fate,’ particularly the ones set deep in the rainforest, the crew set camp in the city of Belém AKA Belém do Pará, which serves as the gateway to the lower Amazon rainforest region of the country. Affectionately known as the city of the mango trees, the capital city of Pará offers a unique mix of natural landscapes and rich history, with its Portuguese-style colonial-era architecture. To make the best use of this location, the team reportedly set up mobile sets right on top of the Amazon River, which gave them the flexibility to bring the action sequences to life perfectly. While talking to Netflix about the production process, director Fernando Meirelles expressed, “Since we’re in the Amazon, we prepared for a set where everything moves, everything changes place all the time.”
Some of the scenes were also lensed in a famous ecological park in Belém called Parque dos Igarapés. Located on Travessa West East 12, 1000, in the Conjunto Satélite region of Coqueiro, the park is known for its mineral water pool and sweeping tree-climbing circuits. This popular picnic spot doubled as the backdrop for some of the series’s most intense scenes, with its blend of natural and modern structures creating the crew’s desired effect. In addition to the series, the locales of Belém appear in a number of TV shows and movies, such as ‘Invisible City,’ ‘The Emerald Forest,’ and ‘At Play in the Fields of the Lord.’
Filming also extended to the Ilha das Onças, an island in the Guajará Bay estuary, located a mere 30 minutes from Belém by water. It is famous for its jaguar population and other varieties of flora and fauna. The lensing process took the camp through a forest trail, including a number of tree houses and river highlights, with the city serving as a constant backdrop on the horizon. The region was the basis for an important scene that took place in the forest, and its quiet atmosphere and natural ambience made it the perfect fit.
Marajó, Brazil
Significant portions of ‘Rivers of Fate’ were also filmed at the coastal island of Marajó, located in the state of Pará. A tourist hotspot in its own right, Marajó is known for its relaxed towns and beaches dotted with palm trees. Additionally, the island is renowned for its deep history, as the place where the Marajoara culture began thousands of years ago. The crew picked this location to capture the sharp contrasts of the story, as the location also serves as one of the narrative checkpoints for the human trafficking scandal. The island primarily served as the backdrop for the second episode, titled ‘Nobody Vanishes Into Thin Air,’ and the town of Soure became the main hub for the crew. Filming here helped the crew further ground the production in reality, capturing all its elements in full detail.
Read More: Rivers of Fate Ending Explained: Does Janalice Return Home?
