Brazil eyes sunny winter
Industry execs hoping local admissions will rise
Since 2003, attendance for local pics has steadily declined to 16 million in 2004 and just 11 million in 2005. But industry execs are saying that the downward movement is likely to end this year and that ticket sales could even increase, in spite of the slow overall market.
"If I Were You," directed by Daniel Filho, has propel the industry to a strong first half of the year, with 5.8 admissions for local pics. Last year, "Two Sons of Francisco" which opened in August, was the local hit that saved the year with 5 million tickets.
No one dares to say the industry will have another "Two Sons of Francisco" this year. But some execs believe a pool of pics can reach that total. "It is actually better for the industry to have five features selling 1 million tickets each than just one super blockbuster," says Bruno Wainer, president of distrib Downtown, which opened Rudi Lagemann's "Anjos do sol" (Angels of the Sun) last week.
Marco Aurelio Marcondes, director of the Europa Filmes MAM distribution consortium, believes the strong release sked for the second half of this year could mean 11 million-12 million admissions for local pics, up from 10.74 million in 2005.
The promising season began with Warner's opening on Aug. 4 of Sergio Rezende's "Zuzu Angel," the biopic of the local fashion designer killed by the country's military regime. "Zuzu" attracted 303,000 moviegoers by Aug. 13, a considerable performance, but a bit behind most estimates.
Hopes are highest for "Seus problemas acabaram," (Don't Worry) based on a popular TV comedy sketch show, which opens with 200 prints Sept. 1.
Another strong contender is vet helmer Carlo Diegues' "O maior amor do mundo" (The Greatest Love of All), opening Sept. 7 with 120 prints. Pic is in competition at the Montreal Film Fest.
Several other fall pics show B.O. potential: Buena Vista releases include Daniel Filho's second pic this year, "Muito gelo e dois dedos d'agua" (Much Ice and a Little Bit of Water) opening Oct. 6; kidpic "O cavaleiro Didi e a princesa Lili" (The Knight Didi and the Princess Lili), in December, starring vet comedian Renato Aragao; and Oscar-nominated helmer Bruno Barreto's "Caixa dois" on Oct. 27.
Fox will open Moacyr Goes' "Trair e cocar e so comercar" (Non-Stop Cheating) on Aug. 25 with 120 prints.
