Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime

"Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime" is a chilling Brazilian true crime documentary series that premiered on Netflix in 2021. The series, spanning four episodes, delves into the notorious case of Elize Matsunaga, a woman who confessed to killing and dismembering her husband, businessman Marcos Kitano Matsunaga, in 2012. It's a narrative of murder, betrayal, family prestige, and the consequences of a deadly marital discord that captivated the entire nation.

The series magnetizes the audience with exclusive interviews, firsthand accounts, never-before-seen footage and photos, and cinematic reenactments. It's not just a straightforward telling of gruesome details, but a deep look into the psychology, motivations, and intricate details surrounding this infamous case. The show has been put together by award-winning director Eliza Capai along with producers Bianca Villar, Leonardo Mecchi, and Letícia Friedrich, setting an example when it comes to taking a fresh and detailed approach to a well-known crime saga.

What sets Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime apart from many other true crime series is the incredible access the filmmakers have managed to gain. Elize Matsunaga, the titular subject, makes her first public testimony since the trial verdict. Filmed inside an open prison where she is serving her time, Matsunaga shares her portion of the story adding the human element and grounding reality to the nerve-wracking series. Her resilience and clarity, in telling the truth about her Union, mirror the numerous women facing marital woes behind closed doors.

Simultaneously, the series portrays many perspectives including those of detectives, judges, prosecutors, forensic experts, and family members among others. It goes a mile further to parse out various aspects of the crime – her childhood, the couple's relationship dynamics, the murder, and its aftermath. In doing so, the series is a study in understanding the fine thread linking normalcy to unthinkable violence, especially in a domestic setting.

"Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime" also sheds light on the media’s part in shaping public opinion around Elize Matsunaga, highlighting the sensationalism that usually surrounds high-profile cases. It creatively uses news footages and media narratives from the time, scrutinizing the role mainstream media played in swaying public sentiment and influencing the course of justice.

Additionally, the series takes a hard look at the Brazilian legal system and its handling of this high-profile murder case. It explores how social status, money, and influence can sway the process of law, and also how public opinion can influence the administration of justice. A careful survey of the prison system in Brazil also humanizes the inmates, bringing to the surface aspects typically buried in mainstream storytelling.

While a rough ride for some viewers given the gruesome nature of the crime, "Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime" offers a balanced, non-sensationalized approach to its story. It handles sensitive aspects of domestic abuse, mental illness, and violence with a great deal of care. The psychological underpinnings of why someone might commit such a horrific act are explored in depth, uncovering a haunting story of domestic violence, love, deception, and a gruesome act of violence that continues to send shockwaves.

Offering a visual and narrative splendor, the cinematography blends the gritty reality of the case with the rich and vibrant culture of Brazil. Although full of shocking revelations, the series steers clear of exploiting the tragedy, instead delivering a poignant and heart-rending tale of love gone terribly wrong.

"Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime" is a detailed, deeply layered exploration of a crime that left a country speechless. Through a variety of voices, it delivers a thought-provoking analysis of a woman, a crime, and its profound aftermath. If you’re an avid follower of true crime documentaries, this eye-opening exploration of a haunting episode in Brazil’s recent past is a series that deserves your attention.