As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of global cinema, I find myself consistently inspired by the resilience and creativity of film festivals like the Rio International Film Festival. Having traversed many continents and attended numerous cinematic gatherings, I can confidently say that Rio Fest stands out as a beacon of hope and innovation in the often tumultuous world of cinema.
As a passionate cinephile, I found myself in the heart of Rio de Janeiro last weekend, where the grand finale of South America’s largest film festival took place – the Rio International Film Festival. This vibrant event served as the perfect stage for the premieres of many captivating Brazilian movies and was an essential meeting point for filmmakers from across the globe. The festival undoubtedly solidified its status as a significant pillar in the world of cinema.
Last year, Rio Fest rebounded after facing challenges such as an uncooperative government, economic downturn, and the pandemic. This year, it has grown further, showcasing approximately 270 films.
After a long break, we finally welcomed overseas visitors to our annual festival this year, approximately fifty international filmmakers hailing from various nations,” Rio Fest’s director, Ilda Santiago, shared with EbMaster. “We are now getting back to normal.
Rio Fest’s Primary Brazil Showcase, featuring 90 long and short films, once more served as a platform to highlight local productions. Two fiction films, Redemption, received awards in the category.
Marcelo Caetano’s film “Baby,” a joint venture between Brazil, France, and the Netherlands, focuses on the topic of male prostitution in Sao Paulo. João Pedro Mariano was praised for his acting in this production, earning him recognition. The films were produced by Cup Filmes, Desbun Filmes, and Plateau Producoes.
Pedro Freire’s film “Malu” explores a woman grappling with a midlife crisis. Yara de Novaes was awarded the Redentor prize for her acting performance. The film’s production houses are Bubbles Project, led by producer Tatiana Leite, and TVZero. Additionally, Pedro Freire won the award for best screenplay.
Director Sergio Machado’s documentary “3 Obas de Xango” was awarded for its depiction of the artistry of three prominent Brazilian artists: writer Jorge Amado, musician Dorival Caymmi, and artist Carybe (painter and sculptor). This production is brought to us by Coqueirao Pictures, a company led by up-and-coming producer Diogo Dahl.
Luciano Vidigal nabbed best director for “Kasa Branca,” which is about a young man in an impoverished Rio community who battles for his grandma to enjoy her last days on earth.
At Rio Festival 2024, a series of performances were showcased that were tied to Petra Costa’s U.S.-Brazilian documentary “Apocalypse in the Tropics.” This was the film’s debut in Latin America at this festival. The movie delves into the rising power of religious fundamentalist figures in Brazilian politics. The production was financed by U.S. private investors, namely Impact Partners, Play/Action Pictures, and Luminate, along with Plan B/KM Films. Petra Costa’s previous documentary “The Edge of Democracy” earned an Academy Award nomination in 2020.
In his conversation with EbMaster, Costa stated that “The Edge of Democracy” and “Apocalypse in the Tropics” share connections to U.S. politics, which he found crucial in securing funding for them within the United States – a challenge often faced by Brazilian filmmakers.
Pedro Kos, a film director based in Los Angeles who hails from Brazil, was present at Fest Rio for the Latin American debuts of his two latest movies.
“The White House Effect” – a documentary co-directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, made entirely from archival footage, centers around the United States’ policy on climate change. In contrast, “In Our Blood” is a fictional horror film that tells the story of a director reconnecting with her long-lost mother for a documentary project.
Kos described himself as both a Brazilian individual who has become acclimated to the U.S., stating this in conversation with EbMaster,” Kos explained. “Viewing life from multiple angles, specifically those of Brazil and the United States, fuels my desire to bridge these disparate worlds.
Marcos Tellechea, from the media company Reagent, is a Brazilian producer who has built a career in the U.S. In partnership with 20th Century Fox, Reagent helped produce Paxton Winters’ film “Pacified” (released in 2019), which was set in Rio. Another international collaboration between Reagent and other partners, “Swimming Home,” directed by Justin Anderson, had its first Latin American screening at the Rio Fest in 2024.
At RioMarket, the festival’s marketplace, there were seminars, business meetings, and workshops taking place. One of the standout events was Serial Bridges Rio 2024, a workshop led by France’s Series Mania Institute. Brazilian producers and scriptwriters for TV series had the opportunity to attend a one-week training program guided by European mentors like Eszter Angyalosy during this period.
Pierre Ziemniak, director at Series Mania Institute, mentioned to EbMaster that the aim of their workshop is to link Brazilian series creators with European markets. The inaugural Serial Bridges Rio, which took place last year during RioMarket, proved so fruitful that Series Mania Institute has since organized comparable events in Taiwan and Turkey, as per his statement.
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2024-10-14 15:47