PODCAST| Matt Micucci interviews Marcio Debellian, director of the documentary Februaries.
Director Marcio Debellian presented his documentary Februaries at the 31st International Festival of Audiovisual Programmes (FIPA) in Biarritz, France. The documentary follows the preparation and the exhibition of an homage to the renowned and celebrated Brazilian singer Maria Bethânia by the Mangueira Samba School. This offers the opportunity not only for a portrait of the life, art, and other aspects of Bethânia, but also the telling of the history of the carnival and samba tradition, which originates from a past of slavery, poverty, mythology, and more. Debellian tells us a little bit about it with great passion; passion is, indeed, one of the driving forces of the film. The passion also comes from Bethânia herself, who is featured in the film, along with other contributors, including her brother and celebrated artist Caetano Veloso, her music and more great traditional Brazilian music. The director talks about working with Bethânia and reveals that he had worked with her before. He also discusses the controversies revolving the upcoming Carnival festivities, the use of little-seen archive footage, and more.
Februaries: An endearing portrait following Brazil’s best-loved singer, Maria Bethânia, and her brother, Caetano Veloso, as they revisit their ancestral history in their hometown of Santo Amaro, long a source of her inspiration. They learn of their slave forefathers and of the unique religious context that gave rise to Bethânia the star, to whom the Mangueira Samba School recently paid homage in a parade that won the 2016 Rio Carnival.
Jackie Chan will receive the 2025 Pardo alla Carriera at the Locarno Film Festival. The beloved action star will also present screenings of Project A and Police Story, followed by a public panel on August 10.
Juliette Binoche leads a distinguished jury featuring Halle Berry, Payal Kapadia, Alba Rohrwacher, Leïla Slimani, Dieudo Hamadi, Hong Sangsoo, Carlos Reygadas, and Jeremy Strong at the 78th Festival de Cannes.
For the first time in its history, the Cannes Film Festival reveals two official posters for its 78th edition, inspired by Claude Lelouch’s 1966 Palme d’Or-winning masterpiece A Man and a Woman.