"Senna" producer says national cinema is close to the protagonism - News Room USA

O Brazil Lives a historic moment in the cinema. In indications to Oscar 2025“I’m still here“, Directed by Walter Salleswon an unprecedented nomination to the largest prize of the ceremony – and in the most important category: Best Movie.

Continuing this achievement, it announced its official selection, which also had the participation of another Brazilian filmmaker :. This, of course, occurs a year after Brazil is present at the biggest film festivals, such as, and.

This movement is natural, given quality of cinema that Brazil has produced and exported to the world. At least that’s what it states, 54, producer and managing partner of the producer The Gullane is filmedseal responsible for titles such as ““, “”, “” and others.

“Brazil has always aroused great interest in international festivals throughout our history,” he recalls CNN. “This recognition started a long time ago, with the movie ”, in the 1950s, which gained prominence at the Cannes and Oscar Festival. Then we had ”, in the 1960s, Anselmo Duartewho won the Golden Palm in Cannes. ”

The interest in Brazilian content in festivals and in the international market is undoubtedly remarkable. Gullane’s own films gained respect in international trajectories.

“The year my parents went on vacation”, for example, participated in competitions in Berlin e Tribecawas sold to 70 countries and raised about 5 million dollars in international tickets. “What time does she come back?” also stood out in Sundance and Berlin, receiving awards in both festivals and being distributed in more than 60 countries.

The managing partner explains the Company’s success formula“It all starts with the interest of the curators, it involves the feasibility of the official selection and culminates in the articulation with the themes and trends that the festivals seek each year.”

He explains that there is a complex ecosystem behind participation in festivalswhich combines the quality of the works with the strategic planning capacity to insert them into the global market.

“We are seeing this again with Walter Salles’s movie, ‘I’m still here’. Production had an exceptional reception in Venice, Toronto and other festivals in the United States, “he praises the feature film starring.

It is worth remembering that the festivals present trends that vary each year. The selection does not follow the same criteria or concepts constantly.

For example, in some editions, political themes are highlighted, while in others, gender issues receive more attention. In 2024, most of the European festivals focused on the Middle East conflict, while in previous editions the central theme were the particularities of the feminist movement.

How can Brazilianness win the world?

“What time does she come back?” He stood out in Sundance and Berlin, receiving awards in both festivals and being distributed in over 60 countries. • Disclosure

Although festivals receive cinemas from all countries, there are customs and traditions that may not make much sense to different nations. And, like “Brazilian way”It has very its own characteristics, many wonder how our culture can be translated into the world.

“If the story is well told, it goes beyond borders. A great example of this is the movie ‘What time does it come back?’ ”Highlights Gullane. The film starring, which discusses the relations between citizens of “first” and “second” class in the Brazilian context, addressing the dynamics of the maid and their relationship with the bossespresents characteristics that can be applied to other nations.

“Although it is a deeply Brazilian issue, this theme was incredibly well received in Europe, because it dialogue with similar situations,” he says. “There, for example, the African who works in the kitchen of a restaurant or as a caregiver lives a similar dynamic. This universality in approaching social issues is what allows stories with local elements to gain global meaning. ”

Currently, the, who marked Brazilians for decades, has gained strength in the cinema with “I’m still here”. In Portugal, for example,.

Already us, he earned US$ 125,4 mil (approximately R$ 759,9 mil) on your first weekend. In the country is also discussing the expansion of the film to more rooms.

“When a work can tell its history universally, it conquers audiences around the world, even if it has deeply Brazilian roots. This is our challenge, our mission, and also our joy, ”argues Gullane.

Brazil in the Oscar

Assembly with Fernanda Torres and Oscar statuettes — Chances of Fernanda Torres increased after victory at the Golden Globe 2025 • Bryan Bedder and Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Although Brazil’s achievements on the international scenario are increasingly visible, the country does not yet have the same movie export structure as nations as France, Italy or Germany – As evident by our absence of 26 years in the indications to the Oscar.

“These countries enter this race with budgets 25 to 30 times larger than ours,” he explains. “The financial and strategic support that they offer their productions ensures a much more competitive presence on the international scenario. Here, we follow the fight, but with significant disadvantages. ”

The success of I am still here can be, in part, attributed to, which distributed the film internationally – something that is highlighted by Gullane highlights as an example of how strategy should be conducted.

“But there is one detail: in this case, the rights of the film were no longer from Brazil, but from Sony, an American company. This makes things a lot easier. The real challenge is to do the same when production is still 100% in Brazilian hands. ”

He continues: “In the end, the point is that, strategically, Brazil makes many mistakes by positioning its productions to the Oscars. We need to rethink how to invest and structure campaigns to achieve more consistent results. ”

Is the future of Brazilian cinema promising?

"The Last Blue" — Cast of “The Last Blue”, Gabriel Mascaro’s film that is in the official selection of Berlinale 2025 • Disclosure

According to Fabiano, in addition to festivities and awards, Brazilian cinema is about to live its best moment, as long as everyone works in an aligned and committed way.

For this, he believes that a tripod is necessary to be in action: a robust set of public policies, Partnerships with streaming platforms and A in Brazil.

“Despite some slow advances and internal challenges, the regulatory basis is very solid. This has allowed Brazil produce 50 to 200 films per year“He highlights. “Of course, most of these movies do not reach big highlights, but this is normal, even in France, where they are produced 400 films And only a fraction becomes a great success. ”

He continues: “Brazil stands out in world audiovisual consumptionwhich opens a range of opportunities for We are also protagonists in the production and creation of our own content. The platforms have invested and believed in ambitious Brazilian projects, with the potential to conquer not only the national market, but also expand to the rest of the world. This is a breakthrough that will soon be discussed and consolidated. ”

Finally, very promisingly, He stresses that Brazilian audiovisual is resuming his space – And the best: rebuilding solid international careers. “This upward trend reflects not only the talent of our filmmakers, but also the strategic articulation that sustains this journey of success,” he concludes.