‘3%,’Producer Boutique Filmes Teams With Ukbar, Diego Freitas on ‘Mistério do Cinco Estrellas’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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Brazil’s production house Boutique Filmes, known for their hit 2016 series “3%” which marked Netflix’s first significant non-English language global success, is collaborating with Portugal’s Ukbar Filmes (“Silent Cargo”) and director Diego Freitas to produce the mystery series titled “The Mystery of the Five Stars.

Revising the acclaimed work “The Mystery of the Five Stars” by Brazilian author Marco Rey, we have a murder mystery unfolding within a high-end hotel setting.

At Rio2C’s inauguration on May 28th, Tiago Melles from Boutique Filmes was named as a mentor. On this occasion, “O Mistério do Cinco Estrelas” was revealed as the second film announced by Boutique within two days. Earlier in the week, Boutique unveiled “O Gênio do Crime,” a joint production with Globo Filmes that follows the investigations of Gordo’s Gang, a group of kids who aim to expose a criminal forging World Cup sticker albums. The release date for Paris Filmes in Brazil is forthcoming.

As an ardent admirer, I’m thrilled to share that “The Mastermind of Crime,” Boutique Filmes’ inaugural production as a producer, will start filming in São Paulo from July onwards. On the other hand, “The Mystery of Five Stars” is slated for filming in the first half of 2026. I can hardly wait!

In “Mystery,” young hotel employee Leo, who works at the opulent Emperor Park Hotel, discovers a corpse in Room 222. As no one trusts his account, he takes it upon himself to uncover the truth behind the crime. Falsely accused as the killer, he is forced to flee in order to clear his name.

According to Mello, the narrative underscores the issue of social equality. “Leo, being from a modest upbringing, caters to the extremely wealthy,” he explained. “It’s evident in Brazilian society that the police treat the rich and poor unequally.

Both “Mystery” and “Genius” series have adapted major Brazilian literary works. Published in 1981, “Mystery” is a cinematic retelling of one of Rey’s most famous novels, coinciding with the centennial year of his birth. The book was recently re-published by Global Editora and includes illustrations by Oscar-nominated artist Ali Abreu (“The Boy and the World”).

One more timeless novel, “The Genius of Crime” by João Carlos Marinho, has surpassed the milestone of one million copies sold and experienced 60 editions. Often hailed as a captivating read, this book has been cherished by countless generations of Brazilians for its compelling narrative. It’s truly an honor to be overseeing this project alongside partners such as Globo Filmes and Paris Filmes. Our ambition is to create a film that seamlessly blends adventure, humor, and a coming-of-age tale.

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The renowned book “The Genius of Crime” by João Carlos Marinho has been a beloved read for generations in Brazil, with over one million copies sold and 60 editions published. This gripping novel has stood the test of time, and it’s a privilege to be working on this project alongside Globo Filmes and Paris Filmes. Our goal is to craft a film that beautifully combines adventure, humor, and a coming-of-age story.

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João Carlos Marinho’s “The Genius of Crime” has been a million-copy bestseller, going through 60 editions. This engrossing book has captivated the hearts of generations of Brazilians. It’s a dream come true to be leading this project alongside partners such as Globo Filmes and Paris Filmes. Our vision is to produce a film that masterfully blends adventure, humor, and a coming-of-age narrative.

They both recruit premier creative minds. Freitas has directed two of Netflix’s most recent blockbuster films, “Beyond the Cosmos” and “Betrayal in Flames.” The upcoming film “Genius of Crime” will be led by Lipe Binder, a renowned director who has worked on “The Rains” for Netflix and directed the Globoplay Original “Living on a Tightrope,” which was chosen for last year’s Berlinale Market Selects and is a main director on the Globoplay/AfroReggae Audiovisual phenomenon “Dissident Archangel.” Pedro Perazzo, known for “Freitas Brothers,” is writing “Mystery,” while Ana Reber, who worked on “Beyond the Cosmos,” is scripting “Genius.

Mistério” caters to a Young Adult audience, as Mello puts it, similar to Brazil’s version of “The Goonies.” On the other hand, “Gênio” is designed for children and families, with such films becoming one of the most promising international bets for non-English language movies at this time.

Both titles have additionally secured funding through the ProAC International Co-Production initiative, a motivational program supported by São Paulo State to the extent of approximately R$400 million ($70.8 million) annually as part of its Audiovisual Industry Development Plan. This plan aims to foster larger scale international collaborations, among other objectives. For instance, “O Gênio do Crime” will share the same production designer, Thales Junqueira, with Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Cannes double winner, “The Secret Agent.

“We wouldn’t have been able to finance these titles without São Paulo State aid,” Mello said.

Movie production is now venturing into Boutique Filmes, following the success of Brazilian films at prestigious festivals such as Berlin (“The Blue Trail”), Cannes (“The Secret Agent”), and the Academy Awards (“I’m Still Here”). In 2024, a presidential decree set exhibition quotas for Brazilian movies to keep homegrown hits playing in cinemas.

For two decades, I’ve been dedicating myself to series production. The prospect of venturing into theatrical film production is intriguing on both a personal and corporate level. It presents a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in the vibrant Brazilian cinema scene and theatrical distribution market in Brazil, which is currently experiencing a remarkable moment. This makes it appealing to produce long-running films and ensures that our company can maintain intellectual property rights. Mello shared this with EbMaster, emphasizing that these films play a crucial role in cultivating an audience for domestic content in Brazil.

The boutique plans to discuss matters with sales representatives when the movies start being filmed, he mentioned. The film titled “The Genius of Crime” is scheduled for release a year prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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2025-05-28 14:16