The Brazilian film production of recent years is being recognized everywhere for its quality and diversity. That is why for the sixth time Tbilisi will host an open-to-public event celebrating Brazil’s cinematic beauty and success. The 2019 edition of the Brazilian Film Festival, fully dedicated to Brazilian cinema, is scheduled in Tbilisi from October 25 to 31.
Presented by the Brazilian Embassy in Tbilisi, the festival has been able to display in Georgia, since 2012, more than 40 top-quality Brazilian films, most recent and previously locally unscreened productions, and has been growing in size and attendance since its foundation.
The Tbilisi Brazilian Film Festival in 2019 is set to showcase a selection of great movies from the new wave of Brazilian filmmaking. Six days of this full week of Brazilian Cinema being projected at the Georgian Cinema House will be dedicated to feature films and one to recently produced short Brazilian animation movies. Among creations of popular culture for “mass consumption,” like action features and comedy, the festival gives a chance to get a glimpse of the independent division of Brazilian contemporary cinema, too: the Brazilian Film Festival in Tbilisi will screen some truly creative and audacious films both in form and content.
The first film to be screened is one of the most interesting. On Friday, October 25, the Georgian Cinema House will screen ‘Nise: The Heart of Madness’ (2015).
Directed by Roberto Berliner, the film is based on the true story of Dr. Nise da Silveira, a psychiatrist in Brazil who treated her patients with art instead of electroshock therapy. Promising Brazilian actors like Gloria Pires, Luciana Fregolente and Simone Mazzer participated in the production. ‘Nise: The Heart of Madness’ won the Best Film nomination in the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Best Film in the Rio Film Festival Audience Award.
One of the most exciting parts of the Tbilisi Brazilian Film Festival 2019 is its animated movie night. Happening on Monday, October 28, Cinema House will welcome guests to delve into the following short animation films from Brazil: ‘Way of Giants,’ directed by Alois Di Leo (2016) - 12min; ‘Menina da Chuva’ (Rain Girl), directed by Rosaria (2010) - 7min; ‘Daydreamer,’ directed by Quiá Rodrigues (2012) - 20min; ‘Tarik's Puzzle,’ directed by Maria Leite (2015) - 19min; ‘Power House,’ directed by Maria Leite and Daniel Herthel (2007) - 5min; ‘Linear,’ directed by Amir Admoni (2012) - 6min.
The Tbilisi Brazilian Film Festival will wrap up on October 31 with the screening of ‘The Ballroom’ (2007).
To keep the intrigue, we won’t reveal the movie’s setting with any spoilers – see it for yourself! We’ll mention, however, that the Ballroom is internationally acclaimed and has been very well received.
The musical romantic drama, directed by Laís Bodanzky, won awards at the Geneva International Film Festival, the Brasília Film Festival, the Miami Film Festival and the Grand Prize of Brazilian Cinema.
The movies will be shown in their original language with English subtitles. Films may contain mature content. Entrance is free. See more of the schedule on the festival’s website. The tickets will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis, starting 30 minutes before each session.
By Nini Dakhundaridze