The family story that became a TV novela

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Aged 11, Dirce de Assis Cavalcanti was taunted by one of her classmates. She was called the “daughter of a murderer”. Not long after, Dirce found out that her father had indeed killed a man and not just any man, he’d killed one of Brazil’s celebrated authors, a national treasure. Although he was cleared by the courts, who declared the shooting an act of self-defence, in the court of public opinion Dirce’s dad was condemned. The story behind that fateful killing is one of love, betrayal and revenge. And it is a story that throughout her life Dirce has grappled with in her attempts to rebuild her family’s reputation. This episode was first broadcast on 21st December 2019. Presenter: Andrea Kennedy Producer: Andrea Kennedy and Deiniol Buxton Get in touch: [email protected] (Photo: Dirce de Assis Cavalcanti Credit: BBC)