Brazil’s O2 Play, the distribution arm of O2 Filmes group, will host a Cannes market screening for director Marcelo Gomes‘ latest feature, “Portrait of a Certain Orient,” on Friday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m. in Lerins 4. Ahead of the screening, O2 has given Variety exclusive access to the romantic period drama’s international trailer.
Kicking off in Lebanon in the late 1940s, “Portrait” is a black-and-white adaptation of Milton Hatoum’s novel of the same name. It follows Catholic siblings Emilie and Emir, who decide to emigrate to Brazil. While on the ship taking them across the Atlantic, Emilie falls for Omar, a Muslim merchant. Emir, jealous by nature, becomes enraged and finds Emile’s new relationship intolerable. Emir’s actions and Emili’s choices eventually lead to disastrous consequences after their arrival in South America.
According to Gomes: “In my film, I try to show that the only way to deconstruct prejudices is by viewing the world through the eyes of others as an antidote to fanaticism. In view of the many crises engulfing us around the world, that seems more important today than ever.”
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“Portrait” is produced by Matizar Filmes, Kavac Film, Gullane Entretenimento, Muiraquitã Filmes, Globo Filmes, Canal Brasil and Misti Filmes, with associated producers Bubbles Project, VideoFilmes and Orjouane Productions. It premiered in this year’s Big Screen competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and will get a theatrical release in Brazil this November.
Gomes has long been one of Brazil’s most impactful auteurs and a regular at international events such as Cannes and Berlin. His 2005 film “Cinema, Aspirins and Vulture” won the Cinema Prize of the French National Education System at Cannes that year. Other career highlights include a San Sebastián Horizons win with “Once Upon a Time Veronica” (2012), a Berlin competition berth with “Joaquim” (2017), a Venice Horizons competition screening with “Viajo Porque Precioso, Volto Porque te Amo” (2009), and most recently, a Raindance main competition selection for “Paloma” (2022).
O2 Play director Igor Kupstas told Variety, “Marcelo Gomes is one of Brazil’s greatest talents, and it is an honor to bring his latest film to the Marché.”
