First Brazilian Film Festival, Vancouver, BC

South American Cinema Comes to Vancouver, BC

Oct 20, 2008

The Vancity Theatre in British Columbia hosts Brazilian films and pays homage to Walter Carvalho.

Vancouver, Canada is also called “Hollywood North” because of its strong film industry. Cinema is a large part of British Columbia, as productions from all over the world shoot here to take advantage of the eclectic environment and various backdrops. For travellers getting into town this month, the timing is perfect.

It comes as no surprise, then, that the First Brazilian Film Festival of Vancouver has finally arrived. This October 22 to 26, 2008 will see a total of 15 South American films from Brazil screen at the Vancity Theatre. The festival ends with a tribute to Walter Carvalho, director and cinematographer, in the screening of “Love for Sale: Suely in the Sky” by Karim Aïnouz.

Review of The Incurable Ones

Gustavo Aciolo’s shadowy tale of sex and identity revolves around a man, a woman and a dark room. These two strangers slowly reveal more about themselves as the audience learns less about them. This is one to sit back, relax, and let the mood quietly sink in.

Review of Enlightened

For cinephiles who can’t get enough of cinema, Christina Leal’s documentary will help sate that appetite. Join cinematographers Walter Carvalho, Dib Lutfi, Edgar Moura, Fernando Duarte, Mario Carneiro and Pedro Farkas as they dissect, revel in and try to describe the process of filmmaking.

Beyond Brazilian Films

For those who will be in Vancouver for this festival, there is much to see and take in. On October 24 and 25 at 6:00pm, “Dialogues” are two free sessions for those interested in Brazilian films. Learn about how they’re made, Brazil’s audiovisual production and how they relate to films in Canada.

The series includes “Co-Production: Brazil & Canada” and “Walter Carvalho: The Image of Brazilian Cinema.” Tickets are given out at 5:00pm on both days and are first come, first served.

Brazilian Cinema

“We are having a very strong moment,” says Adriana Dutra, the founder and director of the festival, in an interview with Ken Eisner (The Georgia Straight, October 16-23, 2008). “These movies are the newest and most diverse productions; some have not yet been released in Brazil, and some are just coming out now. We also want to feature the newest and the youngest directors.”

What makes this festival the most interesting, is that none of the titles have been seen in Vancouver yet. Even though the event follows hot on the heels of the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Latin American Film Festival, the films chosen are completely fresh to this city.

The copyright of the article First Brazilian Film Festival, Vancouver, BC in British Columbia Travel is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish First Brazilian Film Festival, Vancouver, BC in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.