Olympio Guilherme

Olympio Guilherme (1902-1973) was a journalist, economist, writer, actor, film maker, broadcaster and novelist. He played an important part in the history of Brazil, but is still largely unknown by many people. Even in his own time his modern ideas were not fully understood. Olympio wrote and published 12 books and more than 1,600 news articles. In 1927 he won a competition by Fox Films and was selected to be "the most handsome man in Brazil." Together with the winner of "the most beautiful woman in Brazil," Lia Torá, he went to the United States of America. He didn't find fame there with Fox Films, but instead became interested in film directing. He wrote and directed a film of his own, entitled "Hunger," which he filmed on the streets of Hollywood. As an investigative journalist Olympio Guilherme had a deep knowledge of international politics, having travelled widely and interviewed many international figures. He only wrote from his own knowledge and experience after having investigated the facts himself, taking nothing for granted. His views were based on the accuracy and truth of the information he received, without omitting unpleasant facts and without bias or censorship. As an economist, Olympio Guilherme funded and directed the magazine "O Observador Economico e Financeiro". As a broadcaster he presented the "Panorama do Mundo" current affairs programme on the station "Rede Globo" in 1955, the content of which was compiled and subsequently published as a four-volume collection. Olympio Guilherme's "Memoirs" are still to be published by his daughter, Bonina Moran, which, among other things, tell the story of his film "Hunger" in Hollywood, and relate episodes of his many successes and varied political adventures. His story includes encounters with several famous Brazilian politicians and journalists of the day, such as Carlos Lacerda and Assis Chateaubriand and even former Brazilian presidents, such as Getúlio Vargas, Juscelino Kubitschek. The "Memoirs" tell the story of a man who dedicated his life to an almost unachievable principle, which was the freedom and wellbeing of the people and their culture.