The Buttman Carnival series is a staple for Evil Angel, Stagliano’s production company. The premise is simple yet effective: juxtapose the explosive, uninhibited atmosphere of Rio’s Carnival—a week of samba, sun, and skimpy costumes—with Stagliano’s signature style of high-energy, point-of-view (POV) adult scenes.
For the XX (20th) edition released in 2021, the production faced unique challenges. The global events of 2020-2021 had delayed travel and gatherings, but by late 2021, Stagliano managed to capture the chaotic rebirth of the Carnival spirit. Unlike studio-bound productions, Carnival Rio XX uses the streets, beaches, and colorful favela backdrops of Rio as a live-action set. buttman carnaval rio xx 2021
Stagliano has always preferred handheld natural light over softboxes. In Rio XX, the 4K cinematography shines during the exterior shots. The contrast between the neon of Carnival costumes and the warm, grainy texture of Rio’s tile floors is a visual signature. However, audio remains a weak point—often overwhelmed by actual samba drums, requiring actors to shout dialogue. The Buttman Carnival series is a staple for
The Rio Carnival (Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro) is an annual festival held before Lent, typically in February or March. It's one of the largest and most famous Carnaval celebrations in the world. The global events of 2020-2021 had delayed travel