EXCLUSIVE: The new Brazilian art cinema distributor has unveiled a slate including films from Marco Bellocchio, Amos Gitai and Gabriel Ripstein.

New Brazilian theatrical distributor Fênix Filmes has unveiled a slate of 2016 releases that includes Marco Bellocchio’s Blood of My Blood, Amos Gitai’s Rabin, the Last Day and Gabriel Ripstein’s 600 Miles (pictured).

The new company, headed by former Tucuman Filmes partner Priscila Miranda, has also revealed acquisitions, all made at this year’s Cannes festival, of Kôji Fukada’s Un Certain Regard jury prize winner Harmonium, Bellocchio’s Directors Fortnight entry Sweet Dreams and Bertrand Tavernier’s Voyage à travers le cinéma français (Journey Through French Cinema).

Based in Rio de Janeiro, Fênix has inherited the catalogue of Tucuman Filmes, whose recent releases have included Natalie Portman’s directing debut The Tale of Fear and Darkness, Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth and Alceu Valença’s Brazilian drama The Telescope of Time.

Fênix will also take over the Paris-based French distribution operation that Tucuman launched in March 2015. The French operation will retain the Tucuman name.

Miranda and Nilson Rodrigues ended their partnership in Tucuman last December and Miranda - who in recent years has worked on the Brazilian releases of art films including 7 Boxes, Sand Dollars, Mr Morgan’s Last Love, Barbecue and the Arabian Nights trilogy - launched Fênix Filmes in May.

The new company’s plan, said Miranda, is “to discover the best of independent films. The mission in Brazil is to continue winning our art film audience. Fênix is the new Tucuman, but so much better.”