RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The National Film Agency (ANCINE) has suspended the permission granted to the producers of the films “Greta” and “Negrum3” a daily allowance of R$4.6 thousand (US$1.150), for each film, meant to enable the films to be screened at the Queer International Film Festival, in Lisbon.
Three weeks ago, the ANCINE had approved the “granting of financial support” for the films. The features deal with homosexuality and negritude (blackness). “Greta” stars Marco Nanini and tells the story of a homosexual nurse who is a fan of actress Greta Garbo.
The producers of “Negrum3” define the plot as “an essay on blackness, gayness and the spatial aspirations of the children of a diaspora”.
In a statement, the agency claimed that all the support provided by the International Festivals Support Program is being reassessed, due to the budgetary contingency determined by the government.
“The promotion of projects contemplated in the Program does not represent a guarantee that they will be provided with the resources since the very term of commitment establishing the funding is conditioned to budget availability.”
“The cut-off criterion was strictly temporary: support to films included in festivals that have already taken place or are in progress has been preserved”, wrote the agency.
Questioned, the production staff of “Negrum3” stated that it is has purchased tickets for the festival, but expected that the funding would cover part of the travel costs. The solution now is to ask for the cooperation of internet users in a fundraiser.
“The official explanation is the lack of budget availability, but in the same decision, the ANCINE says it will continue supporting the presence of films in other festivals. Taking into account that Negrum3 is a film that discusses the celebration of black gays and the theme of the festival in which it will take part, the political bias of censorship in the decision taken by the ANCINE’s Board of Directors is clear”, said Victor Casé, of Reptilla Produções.
Last week, the producers of “Marighella” also reported issues with ANCINE. Directed by Wagner Moura, the feature debut was scheduled for November 20th on Brazilian screens, but the agency decided to defer the date.
ANCINE has undergone changes since President Jair Bolsonaro (PSL) voiced discontent with the productions supported by the agency. On August 30th, there was a leadership change. With the removal of Christian de Castro Oliveira from the agency’s presidency, Alex Braga now heads the board.
Source: Carta Capital