The film was a co-production of Waldow Filmes and
Cinédia studios, directed by Wallace Downey and based on a script by musicians João de Barro and
Alberto Ribeiro. The setting is at a student residence within a university. The Mimi character was
Carmen Miranda's debut acting role on film. She also sings in the movie. The crooner romantically pursuing her is played by
Mário Reis. Two other students, played by Mesquetinha and Bárbosa Júnior, also vie for her affections, giving rise to a wealth of comic incidents. Although the film's soundtrack featured well-known carnival "marchas" and
sambas, it was not designed to tie in with any annual celebrations. The film was an example of so-called 'mid-year' productions (de meio de ano), the premieres of which were often timed to coincide with the '
festas juninas' or popular Catholic festivals held in June. Inspired by the success of this film, other vehicles for carnival music, the 'mid-year' musicals, were created as publicity tools to promote the radio and record industries.
Estudantes featured musical numbers associated with popular religious celebrations. The song 'Cadê Mimi?' (Where's Mimi?), performed by Mário Reis as he serenades Carmen Miranda's character, subsequently became a huge hit throughout Brazil. == Cast ==