Brazil’s lifelike doll craze is popular as online videos spark political reactions
São Paulo (AP) – Videos with emotional moments with surreal dolls are all the rage in Brazil, sparking obsession and controversy.
Influential people staged amidst the shopping mall’s birth simulations and the stroll of handmade baby characters (called “rebirth” dolls).
In Rio de Janeiro, the city council passed a bill to honor those who made the dolls of life, waiting for the signature of Mayor Eduardo Paes. Meanwhile, lawmakers elsewhere in the country fined those seeking medical help, allegedly a viral video showing a woman taking a woman to a hospital.
Legislators even brought dolls into the legislative chamber.
On Tuesday, state legislator Joao Luiz from Amazon appeared in the state capitol, announcing plans to ban reborn dolls from getting care in the state public health system. However, local media reported that health authorities have never recorded any such cases.
Last week, Congresswoman Talíria Petrone criticized her colleagues for their concerns about the issue. “Can we focus on what really matters? If someone wants to have a doll, get them. I have two real kids and they’re far from enough work,” she said.
Dozens of “reborn mothers” gathered at Villa Lobos Park in St. Paul for the 10th annual gathering on Saturday. Participants say criticism should target influencers seeking attention, not the wider community.
Surreal baby dolls are often used in grief therapy or parenting exercises.
Berenice Maria, a nursing assistant and long-time collector with eight dolls, said they provide emotional comfort. “Even though we saw the hatred there, I love rebirth,” she said. “I want to have the right to go out with them…to the mall, to the park.”
Daniela Baccan, co-owner of a reborn doll shop in Campinas, St. Paul, said the dolls range from 700 reas ($124) to nearly 10,000 reas ($10,000) ($1,800).
As the dispute increases, security issues are increasing.
“We are locking the store more and adding cameras,” Baccan said. “But at the same time, online demand has increased and the traffic in the store is higher.”
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