By Marinel Peroy
The Brazilian Film Festival (BFF) is again back in Manila for its 9th edition after its halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organized by the Embassy of Brazil in Manila, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI) and the sponsorship of “Sambazon”, BFF will be showcased from December 5 to 7, 2024. Admission is FREE of charge.
Ambassador of Brazil to Manila Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura believes that cinema speaks as a universal language.
“Although Brazil and the Philippines are [on] opposite sides of the globe, we are quite similar in many aspects, as our movie selection will show and I hope the audience will enjoy. The universal language of cinema is one of the best ways to keep and strengthen the friendship between the Philippines and Brazil,” he said.
The ambassador said that films bring diversity to the spotlight regardless of national, cultural, or social backgrounds, “underscoring the values, the feelings, and the expectations that we all share as human beings” together.
Celebrating the ‘Sounds of Brazil’
This year’s lineup pays tribute to the Brazilian people who have contributed to Brazil’s rich and diverse musical expressions. The four Brazilian films are:
“Amazônia Groove” is a documentary about the music of northern Brazil and the Amazon region in South America. Departing from Belém and crossing much of the rain forest in Pará, its towns, and riverside villages, the movie reveals local artists and their traditions, faith and mysticism, music and life that resonate in that part of the country.
“João, o Maestro” tells the story of the musician João Carlos Martins, whose childhood was reclusive due to serious health problems. But one day, the piano came into his life. He arises as a stubborn boy who, in a few years, becomes one of the greatest talents of Brazilian classical music.
“Desafinados” (Slightly out of tune) is about a group of young musicians who live in Rio de Janeiro during the political turmoil in Brazil in the 1960s. Together, these musicians formed a band called “Os Desafinados” and became part of the groundbreaking and world-renowned Brazilian musical movement called “Bossa Nova”.
“O ano em que meus pais saíram de férias” (The year my parents went on vacation) is set in 1970. A boy called Mauro is taken to live with his grandfather while his mother and father flee the Brazilian military rule. As the nation prepares to watch their team compete in the World Cup in Mexico, Mauro awaits for news about his family. Despite not having a music motif, the movie displays the voices of soccer supporters, people fighting for political freedom, and a boy longing for his parents’ return.
Secure your slot now
Everyone is invited to share culture and create friendships. Come with your family and friends!
Join the opening ceremony of the 9th Brazilian Film Festival tomorrow, December 5, Thursday, at the UPFI Film Center bldg., UP Diliman, Quezon City.
The cocktail reception will serve Brazilian snacks and a sampling of “açaí”, a berry from the Amazon Forest whose flavor and healthy qualities have become famous worldwide.
Also, stay tuned for a presentation of Capoeira, a martial art, and dance that originated in Brazil and is known for its acrobatic and flowing movements. UNESCO named Capoeira to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
To confirm your participation, register here.
