Daiane dos Santos' life will become a movie

The story of Daiane dos Santos , one of the greatest Brazilian athletes of all time, is going to be made into a movie — and it won't be just any movie. The biopic, titled "The Girl Who Flies," will be co-produced by Viola Davis , an American actress who has won major awards in film, theater, and television. The film will portray the inspiring journey of the black gymnast born in Porto Alegre , who enchanted the world with her jumps and unforgettable smile.

Born on February 10, 1983 , Daiane grew up in the outskirts of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul and demonstrated her ability to control her body from an early age. She started out in ballet, but was discovered by artistic gymnastics coaches — and thus began a journey that would break down social, racial and athletic barriers. Her talent and strength would take her to the top of the world: in 2003 , in Anaheim (USA), Daiane became the first black woman to win a gold medal at the World Gymnastics Championships , placing Brazil on the podium for the first time.

The production of the film is in the hands of powerful black women. Viola Davis is involved through her production company Ashé Ventures , which is responsible for the project alongside Maria Farinha Filmes , known for works such as Aruanas and O Começo da Vida . The direction will be by Yasmin Thayná , and the script, by Flávia Vieira and Janaína Tokitaka .

According to Luana Lobo , a partner at Maria Farinha, Daiane's story represents the strength of new national heroes: "We have the chance to transform this story into a symbol of local — and global — pride." The hope is that the film will inspire an entire generation of black girls who dream of flying, even when the world seems to insist on keeping them on the ground.

Known for her revolutionary moves—such as Dos Santos I and Dos Santos II , never before performed by another gymnast at the time—Daiane faced not only opponents, but also injuries, racism, and underfunding of the sport . Her response was always the same: jump higher.

After retiring from competitions, he graduated in Physical Education, became a sports commentator and continues to work on social projects , reaffirming his commitment to the future of young athletes in Brazil.

With no official release date yet, The Girl Who Flies is in an advanced stage of production — and carries expectations worthy of its protagonist. An athlete who was born in the outskirts of Porto Alegre, overcame prejudice and the weight of gravity. And now, she will conquer the cinema screens.