The Atelier is a podcast created by Chico Felitti and produced by the journalist alongside Beatriz Trevisan. The investigative podcast follows a group made up of former students, former employees and former colleagues of the owner of the art school called Ateliê do Centro, which is located in the central region of São Paulo. The protagonist is the whistleblower Mirela Cabral. Those interviewed denounce a type of sect, led by “master” Rubens Espírito Santo, and detailed crimes of violence, psychological abuse and financial exploitation.
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How the production and investigation of facts for the podcast was carried out The Atelier?
“We focused on this investigation for seven or eight months. As it is a very delicate thing, which involves victims of various abuses, it is different because you need to respect the victim and give in a lot too. Knowing what the person wants or doesn’t want us to say,” he says. Beatriz Trevisan, producer and presenter of The Atelier.
Beatriz also says that sensitive reports were left out, as well as information and details that could lead to the victim being identified by family members or colleagues.
The producer explains that the recording and editing of all episodes were done before the release of the podcast The Atelier on digital platforms.
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What legal precautions do you need to take in an investigative podcast?
“The essential thing is to be able to confirm everything we are saying and taking to the public. We had this very structured, very concrete. There are many people reporting aggression or some type of abuse within the Center's Atelier, or who have not experienced it, but who saw it happening. Starting with that, there are dozens of people. In all the complaints, we can find a pattern in these violence".
In addition to the testimonies of the people involved, the podcast also has other evidence, such as:
- Emails with insults from Rubens to disciples;
- Indebtedness of victims due to financial exploitation;
- Interview with Rubens Espírito Santo;
- Photos and videos of the Ateliê do Centro;
- Criminal case pending in court.
What was the most striking aspect of this investigation?
Beatriz cites two notable moments from the podcast’s investigation The Atelier:
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- Go to the Women's Police Station and the IML to accompany the protagonist Mirela and other complainants;
- Interview with Rubens Espírito Santo at Ateliê do Centro.
“These are very intense, heavy interviews. And we, as professionals, try not to show these emotions, but it is very difficult. In many moments, I felt moved to hear such powerful stories. It's difficult, as a woman, not to touch ourselves, because we know that this is still very common, that it happens every day. Mirela, for example, is a strong, determined woman. What she is doing inspires me”, says Beatriz.
"We know that it is not easy for a woman to come forward to denounce violence that she has suffered. We can't remain silent and close our eyes, pretend it isn't happening. So since it happened, it's good that I'm here listening to this, having the opportunity to take it to the public and cause some change, to help in the search for justice, for peace”, he adds.
What has been the response to the O Ateliê podcast?
After the podcast A Mulher da Casa Abandonada and now with O Ateliê, there were reports of crimes made directly to you, Beatriz, and to Chico too?
“Several people have been looking for me and Chico [Felitti] to tell a story, be it a crime that they came into contact with, or that they themselves were victims of. That's what's really cool about journalism: giving people this space to tell their story. As we showed in the first episode of The Atelier, Mirela looked for Chico to tell her story after she read his book about João de Deus”.
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Listen to the podcast The Atelier:
Can audiences expect a new podcast soon?
“In the coming months, we should launch one, but much lighter than these last two. It will be about ordinary people on extraordinary days, simple everyday situations, but full of meaning. So there will be stories of humor, romance, pain too… Stories of life”, reveals Beatriz.
Here's to more episodes for us to binge!
