In recent years, Netflix has focused intensely on movies and series based on true stories, and for November, it is releasing “Children of the Church Steps,” a four-episode Brazilian show that centers on a group of young girls and boys determined to fulfill their dreams, despite the harsh circumstances they face.
The title is set against the backdrop of the Candelária massacre, a mass killing in Rio de Janeiro that took place in 1993 outside the Candelária church, where eight homeless individuals, including six minors, were killed. As the world continues to seek justice for this crime, the production portrays the last days of Douglas, Sete, Jesus, and Pipoca before the tragedy that shook Brazil to its core.
These four characters are not based on specific real individuals but rather represent all those who were both killed and affected by this atrocity. The series’ creators sought testimony from survivors, who not only added credibility to the script but also played key roles in the aftermath of the massacre. Where are they now?
What is known of the Candelária massacre survivors in 2024?
When authorities set out to investigate the perpetrators of the 1993 crime, it was challenging to locate the survivors who could provide helpful clues. Losing the Candelária church as a place of refuge, many victims disappeared from sight.
However, they did find one crucial witness: Wagner dos Santos, who miraculously recovered after being shot four times. According to Folha De S. Paulo, after assisting in the indictment of five military police officers, dos Santos was targeted in another attack at Central do Brasil and ultimately fled the country to escape further threats.
Today, he lives in Switzerland, struggling with severe health issues due to the multiple gunshot wounds. These injuries led to lead poisoning, vision and hearing loss, and partial facial paralysis. His family reported to the media outlet that dos Santos receives two minimum wages per month from the Brazilian government, which he feels shows a lack of respect for his circumstances.
As for the others, it’s reported that 44 of the 70 young people who slept on the streets on that tragic day in 1993 later lost their lives in similarly violent circumstances. For example, Sandro Barbosa do Nascimento was murdered by police after orchestrating a bus hijacking, and Elizabeth Cristina de Oliveira Maia was killed in 2000 by drug dealers, according to Rio de Janeiro police.
“Children of the Church Steps” seeks to shine light once again on this tragedy, ensuring that those familiar with it never forget and introducing the case to audiences in countries where it remains unknown. While it’s not the justice the victims may have hoped for, the series contributes to keeping the memory alive and sparking conversations about social injustices once again.
