Cortina Vermelha

The song 'Cortina Vermelha' by Solevante e Soleny paints a vivid and poignant picture of the lives of women working in a brothel, symbolized by the 'red curtain.' The lyrics describe a place where these women, often referred to as 'women of the night,' sell love to survive. The 'red curtain' serves as a metaphor for the hidden, often stigmatized world they inhabit, a world that is both colorful and shadowed by societal judgment.

The song emphasizes the inclusivity of this space, where people of all races and colors are welcomed without prejudice. This aspect highlights the brothel as a rare sanctuary of acceptance in a world rife with discrimination. However, the lyrics also reveal the harsh realities these women face, including physical abuse and emotional trauma. The line 'As vezes apanha e chora calada' (Sometimes she gets beaten and cries silently) underscores the silent suffering and resilience of these women, who must endure violence and then retouch their makeup to face the next customer.

'Cortina Vermelha' also touches on the duality of the brothel as a place of both camaraderie and cruelty. While it is a space where women can sing, drink, and find moments of joy, it is also a place where they are objectified and mistreated. The song's narrative sheds light on the complex emotional landscape these women navigate, oscillating between moments of tenderness and instances of brutality. Through its evocative lyrics, 'Cortina Vermelha' invites listeners to empathize with the women behind the red curtain, urging a deeper understanding of their lives and struggles.