The actor and director Renato Prieto has been on the road for many years, travelling the country with his plays – many of them based on Spiritist themes. Prieto, born in the city of Vitória (Espírito Santo), has played in many soap operas, plays and films. He featured in last year’s blockbuster, Nosso Lar – The Astral City, in the leading role as André Luiz. The film was based on a landmark in Spiritist Literature, the novel published in the early forties telling the story of a doctor from Rio de Janeiro and his journey through life after death in the material world. In this interview, Renato Prieto talks about Spiritism, the film and the much talked about sequel to Nosso Lar.

Yes, that’s true. For a long time I had been questioning many things, the reason why we had so many disparities in the world. I thought God was unfair. One day, I found several Spiritist books in the rubbish. Once I began reading them, I couldn’t stop. I found the answers to my questions. And  I also became aware that “someone had also forgotten” Allan Kardec’s  Spirits’ Book at home. I studied the book and found the answers. Many of my questions were the same ones Kardec asked the spirits. I eventually found a good study group, which I still attend.  

How was it playing such an amazing role – that of André Luiz – on the big screen? 

First of all, it’s been an honour and a big responsibility. Secondly, I was glad I could through my work as an actor tell such a powerful and relevant story. I did my best and I hope that the audience could feel the genuine feelings coming from me, as an actor and a Spiritist, someone who really is very keen to help disseminate the teachings of this beautiful Doctrine. 

There’s no doubt the Spiritual World helped throughout the production of the whole film. Is there anything you would like to share on that matter with our readers? 

The most memorable thing about the film was the respect everyone paid to the history of André Luiz and the Spiritual city, Nosso Lar. We felt protected and indeed I have no doubts that we were assisted all along by our friends in the Spiritual World. 

The great Brazilian medium, Chico Xavier, used to advise you and other Spiritist actors, such as Augusto César Vannucci and Felipe Carone, when you produced Spiritist plays. Tell us more about that.  

The late Chico Xavier used to highlight the responsibility we had as Spiritist actors. We had access to the media and needed to use them, to give our testimony, to talk about the Doctrine and Spirituality. Carone and Vannucci have both now returned to the Spiritual World and I am sure they have continued to assist me in my projects involving the media, the arts and Spiritism. 

Do you get any backlash from producing Spiritist plays? 

We live in a planet of trials and tribulations, where we expect to face daily challenges. I don’t pay attention to any sort of prejudice. I tell myself that the good people will see the best in me, while the others will criticise me. It’s in each one’s nature. I always follow the instructions from the Spiritual Benefactors. After all, every man will be rewarded according to his works. I will carry on doing my bit, happy with my choices. 

As a child, you had a health problem and were healed by a Spirit. Who was that, how did it happen? 

Every now and again I think that my mother couldn’t really have returned to the Spiritual World, as she was such a good story teller. When I was only three-months-old, I had a serious health problem, for which conventional medicine couldn’t find a cure. One day, a woman called Noemia appeared in the balcony in our, talked to my mother and said she would come up with a solution. I needed to survive in the material world. She gave my mother a recipe for some medicine, which my mother prepared, and I was cured. As mysteriously as she had first appeared, Noemia disappeared before my mother’s eyes in the balcony. 

What are your latest projects? 

I’m currently playing in São Pauo and will later tour the country with the play A Morte É uma Piada (Death is a Joke). I believe filming for Nosso Lar – The Astral City II will begin soon. But bearing in mind that it took five years for Nosso Lar to reach the cinemas, “soon” might mean next year. I’m also working on a play titled Encontros Impossíveis (Impossible Meetings) but that’s still in its early stages and it’s something I can’t talk much about. 

Who is your typical audience: Spiritists, people looking for something different or just people looking for a good show, regardless of the theme and its implications? 

I always joke, saying that after telling a funny tale I come up with a punch. My audience is mixed, with many young people. I believe everyone is looking for answers. I say that based on my experience, having been involved in 12 Spiritist plays along the years, watched by some six million people. The audience now is made up of of a mix of curious people, looking for valuable information, and the faithful Spiritist crowd, who sympathises with my efforts to disseminate the Doctrine. 

Alongside the Spiritual side of your plays there’s also a social theme. Tell us a bit more about that. 

Some of the money raised when I tour the country with a play is used to help charities working with a number of causes. 

What are your favourite books? 

Kardec more than anything else, it’s my basis. I also like good literature, several genres and authors. There’s a book I keep rereading: A Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Another one? Faz Escuro, Mas Eu Canto, by Thiago de Mello. 

Your final thoughts, please... 

Never give up your dreams. Believe! There’s always someone to listen to your ideas. Listen to the others. Observe life and the examples it provides. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. If you haven’t tripped over, it means you haven’t gone anywhere. Make a move.