Not long after Brazilian comedy troupe’s Porta dos Fundos satirical Christmas comedy, The First Temptation of Christ, made its way onto Netflix, its offices were firebombed in an attack.
On Christmas Eve, a video revealed unknown assailants throwing Molotov cocktails through the windows of the production house where Porta dos Fundos films its videos. An on-duty security guard quickly stopped the blaze, and no one else was in the building at the time of the fire. An altered voice speaking on the tape claims responsibility for the attack as part of a group called the Command of Popular National Insurgence, a part Brazil’s “integralist” movement, which was inspired by the 1930s-era Italian fascism, according to NBC News.
Porta dos Fundos released a statement on Twitter. “In the early morning of December 24, on Christmas Eve, the headquarters of Porta dos Fundos was the victim of an attack. Molotov cocktails were thrown at our building,” the comedy group wrote. “We will move on, more united, stronger, more inspired and confident that the country will survive this storm of hatred and love will prevail alongside freedom of speech.”
One group, the Cristo Rei League, threatened to sue Netflix and Porta dos Fundos, demanding $500,000 go to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The Ministry itself came under fire recently after leader Sergio Moro’s corruption investigations that led to the ouster of former President Lula de Silva.