Brazilian Film Week 2012 opens in Sofia on November 26
Brazilian Film Week 2012, organised by the embassy of Brazil in Sofia and the Bulgarian National Film Archive and which runs from November 26 to December 2, offers a selection of films with different styles, organisers said.
There are films that represent old and modern Brazil. “We have stories that take place in rural or urban settings, combining poetry, romance, comedy and drama. There are experimental and innovative movies. Productions made by sucessful directors or the new generation,” a media statement said.
The Week is a portrait of Brazil and its latest film production. “In all these films there is one common identity which is the diversity of the Brazilian culture. A culture summarised by one of the great Brazilian writers, João Guimarães Rosa, whose books inspired two films on show.”
The movies have not been shown in Bulgaria before, but have won several titles at international festivals. The exception is the film Stories That Only Exist When Remembered, which was the winner of Sofia Festival 2012 and will once again be on display for the public in Bulgaria.
The Brazilian Film Week is complemented by successful Brazilian films already shown in Bulgaria and which are part of the collection of the Bulgarian Cinémathèque and the Embassy of Brazil in Sofia.
Entrance to movies being shown during Brazilian Film Week will be free of charge (the exception is the opening session, which is only for guests).
MATRAGA (Brazil, 2011)
106 min. Age restriction: 14 years. Subtitles in Bulgarian and English.
Director: Vinícius Coimbra
Cast: João Miguel, Vanessa Gerbelli, José Wilker, Chico Anysio
In the early 20th century, in the backlands of Brazil, Augusto Matraga is a violent farmer who lives above the law. One day, he falls into an ambush and almost dies. Matraga, however, recovers and decides to redeem his sins. However, Matraga will have to face his own fate when his life intersects with that of Joãozinho Bem-Bem, an encounter that will lead to a duel between the saint and the warrior. Based on the novel The Hour and the Turn of Augusto Matraga by João Guimarães Rosa. Drama.
Odeon Theatre (1, Blvd. Patriarh Evtimi):
November 26 at 6pm
December 2 at 5.30pm
STORIES THAT ONLY EXIST WHEN REMEMBERED (Brazil/Argentina/France, 2011)
98 min. Age restriction: 10 years. Subtitles in Bulgarian and English.
Director: Julia Murat
Cast: Sonia Guedes, Lisa E. Fávero, Luiz Serra, Ricardo Merkin
Jotuomba is a small village in the Brazilian countryside where time has stopped. Its few residents have the same routine for years, but the arrival of the young photographer Rita makes time run again in this town as she slowly changes, day by day, the life of its inhabitants. It is a poetic film considered by the critics as one of the most beautiful works of the new generation of Brazilian filmmakers. Drama.
Odeon Theatre (1, Blvd. Patriarh Evtimi):
November 30 at 7.30pm
December 1 at 7.30pm
MUTUM (Brazil, 2007)
95 min. No age restriction. Subtitles in Bulgarian and English.
Director: Sandra Kogut
Cast: Thiago Da Silva Mariz, Wallison Felipe Leal Barroso, João Miguel, Izadora Fernandes
The inhabitants of the small town of Mutum, isolated in the countryside of Brazil, are used to a hard and challenging life. Through the eyes of Thiago, a 10 years old boy, we experience the intense drama of a family. Gradually, Thiago discovers a new and complicated world. Inspired by the short story “Campo Geral” by João Guimarães Rosa. Drama.
Odeon Theatre (1, Blvd. Patriarh Evtimi):
November 29 at 7.30pm
December 1 at 5.30pm
MALU DE BICICLETA (Brazil, 2009)
90 min. Age restriction: 14 years. Subtitles in Bulgarian and English.
Director: Flávio Tambellini
Cast: Fernanda Freitas, Marcello Serrado, Marjorie Estiano
Businessman Mário Luiz is a confirmed bachelor who had several women. On a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Luiz believes that he has found his soul mate when he falls in love with Malu, a beautiful and independent woman. But Mario’s passion is corrupted by obsessive jealousy, which jeopardises their marriage. Based on the novel by Marcelo Rubens Paiva. Romantic comedy.
Odeon Theatre (1, Blvd. Patriarh Evtimi):
November 28 at 7.30pm
December 2 at 7.30pm
STILL ORANGUTANS (Brazil, 2007)
81 min. Age restriction: 14 years. Subtitles in Bulgarian and English.
Director: Gustavo Spolidoro
Cast: Karina Kazue, Lindon Satoru Shimizu, Artur Pinto, Janaina Kremer
On the hottest day of the year in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre, the stories of several characters intersect in surprising and peculiar situations. The film was shot in just one long sequence, without cuts, and the story mixes comedy, drama and romance.
Odeon Theatre (1, Blvd. Patriarh Evtimi):
November 27 at 7.30pm
December 1 at 3.30pm
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET (Brazil, 2004)
97 min. Age restriction: 12 years. Subtitles in Bulgarian and English.
Director: Marcos Bernstein
Cast: Fernanda Montenegro, Raul Cortez, Laura Cardoso
Regina is a lonely woman of 65 who becomes a police informant. From the window of her apartment in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, she believes that she has witnessed a murder across the street. But Regina gets involved with the suspect. Thriller.
Odeon Theatre (1, Blvd. Patriarh Evtimi):
November 30 at 5.30pm
December 2 at 3.30pm
BEHIND THE SUN (Brazil/Switzerland/France, 2002)
105 min. Age restriction: 12 years. Subtitles in Bulgarian.
Director: Walter Salles
Cast: Rodrigo Santoro, José Dumont, Rita Assemany
In April 1910, in the wilderness of the Brazilian backlands, Tonho is urged by his father to avenge the death of his older brother, who was victim of an ancient struggle between families over land ownership. But if he follows his father’s will, Tonho knows that he will be chased by the rival family, accordingly to the region’s ancient code of revenge, and will not survive. So, he starts to challenge the logic of violence and tradition. Loosely based on the novel by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare. Drama.
Odeon Theatre (1, Blvd. Patriarh Evtimi):
November 29 at 5.30pm
CENTRAL STATION (Brazil, 1998)
113 min. No age restriction. Subtitles in Bulgarian.
Director: Walter Salles
Cast: Fernanda Montenegro, Vinícius de Oliveira, Marília Pêra
Dora writes letters for illiterate people in Rio de Janeiro’s Central Station, describing an unknown and fascinating Brazil. One of those clients is Ana and her son Josué. But when Ana gets hit by a vehicle and dies, Dora must, reluctantly, take care of Joshua. This leads to a deeply emotional journey in search of Josué’s father through the Brazilian countryside. One of the most celebrated Brazilian movies. Drama.
Odeon Theatre (1, Blvd. Patriarh Evtimi):
November 27 at 5.30pm
BYE BYE BRAZIL (Brazil/Argentina/France, 1979)
105 min. Age restriction: 16 years. Subtitles in Bulgarian.
Director: Cacá Diegues
Cast: José Wilker, Betty Faria, Fábio Júnior, Marieta Severo
Competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Festival 1980
Three artists travel the Brazilian countryside with the Rolidei Caravan doing shows for humble workers who do not have access to television. They live various adventures in the roads of Brazil, passing through the Amazon rainforest and the country’s capital, Brasília. One of the most important Brazilian movies in the 1970s.
Odeon Theatre (1, Blvd. Patriarh Evtimi):
November 28 at 5.30pm
