Momo, the Carnival King

Every February for the last four years, an unassuming bank employee has thrown off his ordinary suit for five days of multi-colored feathers and sequins. Milton Junior is "King Momo" who reigns over five days of festivities at Rio's carnival.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

Arts & Society

Topics

Arts & Culture

People

Milton Junior

Places

Brazil, Rio De Janeiro

Transcript

SCRIPT: Milton Junior looks like any other bank clerk – disappearing in the crowd as he leaves his office after a day’s work. But under his everyday suit, there’s a Rio celebrity – Momo, the carnival king, who reigns over the city for the five days of the world’s biggest outdoor festival. SOUNDBITE 1, Milton Junior (man), bank clerk and King Momo (Portuguese, 15s) “When carnival arrives, I make a lot of appearances in the media and on TV. In the world of samba everyone knows me, but when they recognize me they say ‘You’re so different, you look so serious and colourless in a work suit’ and yes, I am different” Every year, Rio’s mayor symbolically gives King Momo the keys to the city. Throughout carnival, he’s at every big parade and samba show, dancing with everyone from children to celebrities – he’s seen here last year with Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who died in December. The symbol of excess, King Momo is elected every year for his samba skills, good humour and party spirit. Even at home, his crown and sceptre aren’t far away – he’s on his way to rehearsal at one of the biggest samba schools, as they prepare to strut their stuff in front of 70,000 spectators in the mythical Sambadrome. SOUNDBITE 2, Milton Junior (man), bank clerk and King Momo (Portuguese, 15s) “This moment means everything to me. You enter the Sambodrome, happy, at a party where everyone is hugging each other and clapping and dancing with you, and you communicate the joy by dancing samba. You can greet everyone, introduce the queen and the princesses of the carnival, it’s great” As Brazil’s 2013 carnival season approaches, Milton’s schedule fills up with last minute preparations. SOUNDBITE 3, Maria de Conceiçao Oliveira da Silva (woman), Milton Junior’s mother (Portuguese, 13s) « He never says he’ll stop, he’s tired but he loves it, he’s resting now and we help him at home » Milton Junior has reigned over Rio carnival since 2009, beating out other King Momo hopefuls for four years straight. An impressive feat in samba-mad Brazil and yet he has no intention of stopping there. He says he hopes to keep his crown another few years, and dance the samba at the head of the carnival parade until Rio hosts the 2016 Olympic Games. SHOTLIST: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, FEB 2012 - JAN 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV (ACCESS ALL) SEQUENCE 1 (11/01/2013) -Milton Junior leaving his office -Milton Junior walking to the metro -Milton Junior on the metro -Milton Junior getting off the metro SOUNDBITE 1 SEQUENCE 2 (Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2012) -Rio mayor Eduardo Paes hands Milton Junior the keys to the city (17/02/2012) -VAR of children's carnival (17/02/2012) -VAR of inauguration ceremony, including Milton Junior with Oscar Niemeyer (12/02/2012) SEQUENCE 3 (11/01/2013) -VAR of Milton Junior at home in a Rio suburb -Milton Junior putting on his crown SOUNDBITE 2 -VAR of Milton Junior with his parents and his 3-year-old daughter Sophia SOUNDBITE 3 SEQUENCE 4 (05/01/2013) -VAR of Milton Junior at a samba school rehearsal at the Sambadrome -VAR of Milton Junior dancing samba with the Carnival queen and princess