Ventana Sur Animation! Feature ‘The Factory Beyond the Hill’ Brings Brazilian Literary Giant J.J. Veiga to the Big Screen for the First Time (EXCLUSIVE)

As a lifelong cinephile with a penchant for the offbeat and obscure, I find myself utterly enthralled by the prospect of “The Factory Beyond the Hill.” Having immersed myself in the works of Brazilian authors, both famous and overlooked, this project strikes me as a long-awaited opportunity to finally bring J.J. Veiga’s unique vision to life on the silver screen.

As a cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled about one of the most talked-about films at Ventana Sur’s Animation! – “The Factory Beyond the Hill” by Lucas Abrahão & Ricardo Kump. This marks the first time the acclaimed Brazilian author J.J. Veiga graces our big screens, a moment I can’t wait to experience.

Abrahão stated that João José Veiga, an author known for his vivid and emotional style, is a puzzle as to why his work hasn’t been translated for the big screen yet. His depictions of rural Brazil are unparalleled, and we are determined to honor his vision. It seems some of Veiga’s short stories have been adapted for television, but never for cinema.

Abrahão shared with EbMaster that the writer’s style is quite atmospheric, leaning towards horror, and his settings are rarely seen in our cinema. These are remote regions of central Brazil that are not typically picturesque or close to urban centers, more like the ‘nowhere.’ Given that he penned most of his works during the military dictatorship, there are many allegories about authoritarianism woven into them as well.

Abrahão pointed out that although Veiga didn’t prefer to be labeled as a ‘magical realist’ author, there’s no denying the similarities between his work and those of authors like Julio Cortazar and Gabriel García Marquez. He believes it’s the unique Kafkaesque atmosphere in Veiga’s writing that truly distinguishes him.

1) “He penned down his thoughts extremely neatly, about matters that were quite bizarre. This peculiar blend has a strong potential for cinematic storytelling – it’s just surprising that there haven’t been more adaptations,” he contemplated. As for our project, we aim to develop a unique visual aesthetic, employing collage and painting methods to animate the Brazilian countryside, accurately representing Veiga’s world, explained Kump. He is not only the art director but also known for his exceptional works in stop motion animation, motion graphics, music videos, and films. His short horror film, “The Cactus,” earned him numerous accolades globally.

Based on J.J. Veiga’s renowned short story titled “The Factory Beyond the Hill”, this narrative delves into the turmoil that sweeps a secluded Brazilian hamlet when enigmatic outsiders make an appearance to erect a factory in their midst. Intrigued and determined, a duo of adolescents embark on a quest to unravel the true intentions of these strangers. This journey puts them squarely against the formidable intruders, challenges their bravery, yet also exposes the community’s quiet acquiescence to change, as well as their personal internal battles.

I’ve been captivated by the news that “The Factory Beyond the Hill,” an enchanting animated feature, is being brought to life by Lucas Pelegrino Bonalumi of LPB Content and Spain’s Noon Films. Hailing from São José do Rio Preto in the vibrant state of São Paulo, LPB Content has a rich history of producing live-action features, with two more currently in the works. They’re also playing a significant role in distributing “Teca & Tuti: A Night at the Library,” which happens to be the most-watched animated feature in Brazil this year! Excitedly, “The Factory Beyond the Hill” marks LPB Content’s first foray into animation.

For the past fifteen years, Barcelona-set Noon Films has been creating and producing both documentary and animated films. Their latest venture, an interactive animation titled “A Perilous Voyage: The Tale of Pepi,” has just received the Ibermedia Next Development grant.

2024-11-07 22:52

Ventana Sur Animation! Feature ‘The Factory Beyond the Hill’ Brings Brazilian Literary Giant J.J. Veiga to the Big Screen for the First Time (EXCLUSIVE)

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