From sequels to international breakouts through to buzzy directorial debuts, Elaine Guerini profiles some of the hottest new films coming out of the territory.
Elite Squad 2 (Tropa de Elite 2)
Sequel to the Berlin Golden Bear winner, the highly anticipated Elite Squad 2 follows Captain Nascimento (Wagner Moura) after he leaves the police special unit. In post-production, the film promises more violent clashes between the police and the favela drug dealers. The film reunites the director and writer of the original, Jose Padilha and Braulio Mantovani.
Contact Zazen Producoes
zazen@zazen.com.br
The Art Of Losing (A Arte de Perder)
A story based on the love life of Pulitzer Prize-winning US poet Elizabeth Bishop and her relationship with Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares. Written by Carolina Kotscho, whose credits include the 2005 smash Two Sons Of Francisco, The Art Of Losing is in pre-production and will be directed by Bruno Barreto, whose Four Days In September was nominated for a foreign-language Oscar in 1998.
Contact www.lcbarreto.com.br
A Beira do Caminho
Breno Silveira (Two Sons Of Francisco) directs another feature with popular appeal: the story of a truck driver who travels across Brazil listening to the music of Roberto Carlos. On this journey, he meets a host of people, including a boy who dreams of finding his father. Produced by Conspiracao Filmes and currently in post, the project stars Joao Miguel and Dira Paes.
Contact Conspiracao Filmes
contato@conspira.com.br
Captains Of The Sands (Capitaes de Areia)
The directorial debut of Cecilia Amado, granddaughter of the late Brazilian author Jorge Amado, Captains Of The Sands is based on Amado’s book about orphans and abandoned children in Salvador. Since its publication in 1937, the book has been translated into 16 languages and has sold more than 5 million copies. Currently in post, the film is produced by Bruno Stroppiana, whose credits include Carlos Diegues’ Tieta Do Agreste.
Contact lagoacultural@visualnet.com.br
My Country (Meu Pais)
A co-production between Gullane Filmes and Verdeoro in Italy, My Country marks the directorial debut of Andre Ristum, who worked as assistant director for Bernardo Bertolucci on Stealing Beauty. Starring Rodrigo Santoro, the film tells the story of two brothers, one of whom lives in Italy, who reunite after the death of their father. In post.
Contact Gullane Filmes
internacional@gullane.com
O Vendedor de Passados
A partner in Conspiracao Filmes, who is best known for his documentaries such as O Misterio Do Samba, Lula Buarque de Hollanda based this film on Angolan writer Jose Eduardo Agualusa’s novel. Set to begin shooting next year, Isabel Muniz and Felipe Miguez’s screenplay has been picking up buzz for its story of a character who creates and sells stories of the past for those who are unhappy with their real ones.
Contact Conspiracao Filmes
contato@conspira.com.br
Xingu
The new film from Cao Hamburger (The Year My Parents Went On Vacation) tackles environmental issues and sustainability. It tells the story of the Villas Boas brothers, creators of the reserve in the Xingu National Park, the first indigenous land approved by the federal government back in 1961. Currently in production, the drama is produced by Fernando Meirelles and his partner at O2, Andrea Barata Ribeiro. Joao Miguel leads the cast.
Contact www.o2filmes.com.br
Rosa Morena
Carlos Oliveira makes his directorial debut with this film about a gay Danish man who wants to become a father. Due to adoption obstacles, he goes to Brazil where he looks to adopt illegally. Produced by Ginga Eleven in association with Fernando Meirelles, the film, which is completed, is a Danish co-production with Fine & Mellow Productions and New Danish Screen.
Contact ivan@mastershot.com
Transeunte
The first fiction feature from documentary film-maker Eryk Rocha (son of the acclaimed director Glauber Rocha), Transeunte is the story of a retired man who spends his time wandering the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Through his eyes, the film analyses modern Brazil — helped by Rocha’s documentary sensibilities. In post, the film is produced by Walter Salles and Mauricio Andrade Ramos.
Contact Videofilmes
Mauricio@Videofilmes.com.br.
VIPs
This first feature from Toniko Melo, a rising talent who has been nurtured by Fernando Meirelles through his O2 Filmes, is already attracting buzz. Currently in post, it tells the story of a fame-craving Brazilian who pretends to be the owner of an airplane company. Written by Braulio Mantovani, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of City Of God, the film stars Elite Squad’s Wagner Moura.
Contact www.o2filmes.com.br
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