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The 2024 Oscars have already started! Of course not officially, but many countries are already moving to get good campaigns for their films and fit one of their productions into the list of nominees for the main cinema awards in next year's edition.
Brazil, for example, has already narrowed down its internal competition and announced last Tuesday (5) the films selected for its own pre-list. A Brazilian Film Academy chose six productions among the 28 projects registered for this season to be able to evaluate them better. The final winner will be revealed on the 12th and will win the chance to represent the country in the search for the long-awaited Oscar.
Brazilian films on the Oscar 2024 shortlist
Strange Way
With direction Parent Guto and production by Tardo Filmes, Strange Way tells the story of David, an experimental filmmaker, who returns to Brazil after ten years away due to a feature film of his that will be shown at a national festival. It turns out that, subsequently, a lockdown is decreed due to the covid-19 pandemic that is ravaging the world, and the protagonist then decides to go in search of his father, who has not seen him since he left.
At first, Strange Way is considered one of the three favorites to win the opportunity to represent Brazil in the fight for a nomination for the 2024 Oscar. However, the other two works with great prestige have better international distribution, making Guto Parente's work fall short in this dispute.
Where to watch Strange Way: the film is scheduled to premiere in Brazil in the 2nd half of 2023.
Alien Nights
Mixing the urban customs of Acre with Amazonian traditions, Alien Nights presents the public with a story in which the ancestry of traditional people proves resistant in the face of contemporary times that seem to deny the forest. Produced by Saci Filmes and directed by Sergio Carvalho, the work brings together three young people from the periphery who meet due to a common tragedy: society impacted by the violence of organized crime in Southeast Brazil.
Despite having the BBB-18 champion, Gleice Damasceno, in the cast, and still having the film in the catalog of Netflix, the feature film should not have many chances compared to its competitors. After all, the very streaming It does not seem to have the intention of positioning the work as a candidate for future awards.
Where to watch Alien Nights: the film is available in the Netflix catalog.
Our Dream: the story of Claudinho and Buchecha
The production by Urca Filmes brings to the public the nostalgic story of the most successful duo in the world. funk melody national team of all time: Claudinho and Buchecha. Our dream directed by Eduardo Albergaria and shows a biopic about a friendship that turns into strength, overcoming and conquest. A film that presents the rhythm and peripheral poetry dominating Brazil from North to South.
Our Dream: the story of Claudinho and Buchecha it even emerges as a strong name for awards, if you only consider the national scenario. Despite being a film that has enchanted many, the theme may end up not captivating the international audience, since the work has a lot of appeal for Brazilians who knew the duo. Therefore, it is also on the outside in the dispute.
Where to watch Our Dream: the story of Claudinho and Buchecha: the film opens in Brazilian cinemas on September 21st.
Toll
Toll presents the audience with a strong theme when it features Suellen, a toll collector who realizes that she can use her work to earn extra income. The intention, however, is to finance your son's trip to the very expensive gay cure, which in this case is taught by a famous foreign pastor.
The work, produced by Biônica Filmes and directed by Carolina Markowicz, is among the favorites to be chosen as Brazil's representative in the search for an Oscar. If the idea is to win over an international audience, Toll is already part of the way, as it was selected for the 2023 Toronto International Festival.
Where to watch Toll: the film opens in Brazilian cinemas on September 8st.
Ghost Portraits
Directed by none other than Kleber Mendonça Filho, Ghost Portraits shows millions of people going to the cinema throughout the XNUMXth century. However, as time went by, the ruins of these great places revealed some truths about the way life happens in society.
The work by Cinemascope Produções is already one of the favorites just because of the name of its director, known worldwide for works such as Bacurau (2019) and Aquarius (2016). As if that weren't enough, it also carries the weight of having been well evaluated at the Cannes Festival, one of the most relevant for the audiovisual world. Along with Toll, are the films most likely to compete for the 2024 Oscar.
Where to watch Ghost Portraits: the film is already showing in Brazilian cinemas.
buzzards
Using the city of São Paulo as a background, buzzards presents the story of Trinchas, the leader of a gang of taggers who climbs the tallest buildings to leave his mark. However, things change when the protagonist meets student Valéria. The 28th São Paulo Biennial is invaded and graffiti takes its place in the art world, making the young people in the group become protagonists of a debate about culture.
Directed by Claudio Borrelli and produced by Killers Filmes, the feature film brings an important reflection to the present day, but seems to not have the necessary strength to compete for international awards. Beside Alien Nights e Our Dream: the story of Claudinho and Buchecha, tries to surprise and runs away to be selected as a representative of Brazil.
Where to watch buzzards: The film is available to rent on Apple TV+
Who will be Brazil's representative for the 2024 Oscars?
Unfortunately, only one of the productions listed above can be selected as Brazil's representative in the fight for an Oscar 2024 nomination. They all received excellent reviews from critics, but as the awards do not only take into account quality, but also the campaign, Toll e Ghost Portraits emerge as favorites, as they already have a certain international appeal, participating in festivals around the world.
The announcement of the chosen one will take place next Tuesday, September 12th.
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Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (06 / 09 / 23)
