2nd Reel Brazil Film Festival

The Reel Brazil Film Festival 2010 will bring heat and passion to Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown audiences. The festival will show films that have grabbed headlines – and audiences – at international festivals like Berlin, Cannes and Toronto. Some films cover familiar aspects of Brazilian life like soccer, music and Brazil’s indigenous people, but others tackle everyday life and challenges facing ordinary people in Brazil: their dreams, dramas and aspirations.

Have you ever been to a Brazilian party? If not, “no "problema"! - Dress to impress at the Gala Opening Events and on the festival weekend put your fruit hat on and party Brazilian style at the Reel Brazil Festa, with live entertainment, DJ's and Brazilian cocktail drink specials.

We will be showing 9 films:  6 features and 3 documentaries.

Our hand-picked selection will not only give you a glimpse into real life in Brazil but also take you on important journeys.  Personal discovery and the search for social tolerance and human rights .. desire and pure Latin comedy .. we’ve got it all!

As you might expect from a Brazilian film festival, it’s not just about the movies – we love a good festa!  

In all three cities we will host glamorous opening night parties:

• Auckland & Queenstown: enjoy Brazilian drinks and food before the film!  This is a fun event for those who enjoy a classic, Bossa Nova style evening with fine wine, tropical caipirinhas and Brazilian canapés. Tickets available through the cinemas’ websites.

• Gala Opening & Fundraiser in Wellington: The Opening Night in Wellington will be particularly special as it will be a fundraiser event for the NZ charity, Skylight. DRESS TO IMPRESS – THIS WILL BE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER! Follow this link to purchase tickets for Wellington: http://www.iticketexpress.co.nz/events/2010/sep/reel-brazil-and-skylight-gala-opening-and-fundraiser/

And then for those who like to turn up the heat even more, we present the Reel Brazil Festas in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstow.  A full-blown Brazilian party, with live bands, DJ’s and $5 caipirinhas!   Find out more here:  http://www.reelbrazil.co.nz/2010/Reel_Brazil_Festas.html

Keep an eye out for the Festival brochure!   It will start making its way to the host cinemas, main cafés, libraries and favourite hotspots this weekend in Auckland and in the following weeks to Wellington and Queenstown. However, if you can’t wait until then, we have uploaded the brochure so you can see it first here: http://issuu.com/smiling.ear.to.ear.productions/docs/2010rbffbrochure

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Jean Charles A story about the young Brazilian guy who was shot and killed by police in London who mistook him for a terrorist. This feature takes an unusual point of view:  rather then focusing on the horrific end of his life, the film goes behind the headlines to show Jean Charles’ life in London and all the tragicomic situations Brazilians go through when moving to another country.

Elvis & Madona One of the best and original comedies of this year will premiere at the Reel Brazil Film Festival ahead of its official release in Brazil.  Be among the first to see the unlikely story of lesbian photographer and part-time pizza delivery Elvis and Madona (with one “n”) a ravishing Blonde transvestite, a hairdresser and performer. Their paths cross in the most peculiar way and the outcome is something neither one expected…

Love stories last only 90 minutes  Zeca is a young writer living in bohemian idleness in Rio, who’s spent years writing a novel he just can’t seem to finish.   He lives in a strained relationship with his beautiful wife Julia and survives on handouts from his family.  But everything seems to change, when he starts to suspect that Julia is cheating on him .. with another woman. 

Beyond Ipanema celebrates the world’s enduring fascination with Brazilian music. Through interviews with David Byrne, Devendra Banhart, M.I.A., Os Mutantes, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Tom Zé, Seu Jorge, Thievery Corporation, Bebel Gilberto, CSS, Creed Taylor and many others, Beyond Ipanema looks at how successive generations of music lovers have discovered Brazil’s rich musical culture. 

The Xavante Strategy tells the story of one Indian tribe’s efforts to protect their indigenous heritage and lifestyle.   Elders from the Xavante tribe in the state of Sao Paulo choose four young people and send them on a mission: to live with ordinary city families so that they can absorb urban culture and become spokesmen for the Xavante people. This documentary has been screened in many countries and the Xavante Strategy is inspiring many indigenous cultures to provoke change and protect their heritage.

So the countdown to the Reel Brazil Film Festival is on – make sure you get your tickets to your favourite film picks and be our guest  to some of the best parties of the year!

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Notes to editors:

About the Reel Brazil Film Festival

Reel Brazil made its New Zealand debut at Te Papa in Wellington last year. It was a tribute to the 100th birthday of Carmen Miranda (the lady with the tutti-frutti hat) and attracted almost 800 people in four unforgettable days.

This year Reel Brazil expands to take in three cities:  Auckland, Wellington & Queenstown.   In just 12 months the Festival has become the largest annual Brazilian-focused event in New Zealand.  

Dates for the Reel Brazil Festas:

AUCKLAND

Saturday, 28 August @ The Windsor Castle & Juice Bar. 144 Parnell Rd.

www.thewindsor.co.nz . 9:30pm

Featuring:

DJ Bobby Brazuka

QRL Band

WELLINGTON

Saturday, 11 September @ Estadio – 17-19 Blair St.

www.thetemperance.co.nz. 10:00pm 

Featuring:

DJ Ras Quilombo

cRAZY fAt bRAZILIAn

QUEENSTOWN

Saturday, 25 September @ Melt Bar – 54 Shotover St.

www.meltbar.co.nz. 10:00pm 

Featuring:

DJ Bobby Brazuka

Sambanego

About the Director & Producer, Leandro Cavalcanti

Leandro Cavalcanti was born in Brazil and has chosen New Zealand as his home.  The 33 year old entrepreneur was born in Minas Gerais, Brazil and came to New Zealand eight years ago after stints working in London and Toronto.    He is the organiser of the highly successful Reel Brazil Film Festival. He also works as a business facilitator helping New Zealand companies break into the Brazilian market.

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