The Brazilian Academy of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts announced the film “Pictures of Ghosts” (“Retratos Fantasmas”), by Kleber Mendonça Filho, as Brazil’s representative in the race for a spot in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2024 Academy Awards.
The film competed against five others, which had been selected from 28 Brazilian productions.
“It was a democratic and representative meeting with a broad committee. The diversity and quality of the films led us to three hours of debate before we reached the chosen title,” said the committee president, Ilda Santiago.
“Pictures of Ghosts” features the center of Recife as its main character, revisited through the grand cinemas that served as social spaces in the 20th century.
Being chosen as Brazil’s representative for the Oscars does not guarantee that the film will be nominated. Each country submits one film as its representative in the competition. The Oscars then review these submissions and create a shortlist, which will be revealed on December 21.
The official announcement of the films that will actually compete for the top prize in world cinema will be made on January 23, 2024. The awards ceremony for the best films of the year is scheduled for March 10, 2024.
This is the second time director Kleber Mendonça Filho has had a film selected to represent Brazil at the Oscars. In 2013, the Brazilian Academy of Cinema nominated “Neighbouring Sounds” (“O Som ao Redor”), but the film ultimately did not make the Oscar list. He is also known for films such as Bacurau and Aquarius.
Source: Agência Brasil