One of three indigenous roles portrayed by Luciana Rigueira. She would also plays Ánote in Brave New Land (2000) and Jacira in Soul Mate (2005).
Aged 8, Eunice Baía was illiterate when she was cast as the title character and shot all her scenes with an instructor, helping her to memorize her lines. According to director Pedro Carlos Rovai, Baía also had contracted hookworm.
More than 3000 children auditioned for the title role of Tainá.