Manas (film)
| Manas | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Marianna Brennand |
| Written by |
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| Produced by | Marianna Brennand |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Pierre de Kerchove |
| Edited by | Isabela Monteiro de Castro |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Paris Filmes (Brazil) |
Release dates |
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Running time | 106 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Portuguese |
Manas (lit. 'Sisters') is a 2024 drama film co-written and directed by Marianna Brennand, in her feature film debut. It stars Jamilli Correa, Fátima Macedo, Rômulo Braga and Dira Paes.
The film had its world premiere in the Giornate degli Autori section of the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it won Director's Award, the section's main prize.
Plot
Marcielle, a 13-year-old girl, struggles to survive amidst a network of sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation in a small riverside community of Marajó, in the Amazon rainforest.
Cast
- Jamilli Correa as Marcielle
- Fátima Macedo as Danielle
- Rômulo Braga as Marcílio
- Dira Paes as Aretha
- Emily Pantoja as Carol
- Samira Eloá as Cynthia
- Gabriel Rodrigues as Danilio
- Enzo Maia as Marcéu
Production
Documentary filmmaker Marianna Brennand's feature debut, the film is the result of her 10 years of research on the subject of child sexual abuse in the Amazon rainforest villages.[1] It was produced by Inquietude, with Globo Filmes, Canal Brasil, Pródigo and Fado Filmes serving as co-producers; Dardenne brothers and Walter Salles served as associate producers.[2] Sean Penn joined the film as executive producer in September 2025.[3]
Release
The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, in the Giornate degli Autori sidebar, where it won the Director's Award.[4] The film had its Brazilian commercial release on May 15, 2025.[5]
Reception
The film received general positive reviews by critics. Vittoria Scarpa from Cineuropa write that the film "leaves you stunned – for the story it tells, for how it tells it and for the piercing performances of its actors".[1] International Cinephile Society's Matthew Joseph Jenner described it as "a challenging film, but one that still manages to be captivating in spite of some of its thornier, more disconcerting material. It is beautifully constructed, with the cinematography in particular being a highlight".[6]
The film won the Critics Award for Best Brazilian Film at the 48th São Paulo International Film Festival,[7] a Huelva Special Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 50th Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival,[8] and the Jury Prize at the 33rd Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival.[9]
The Brazilian Academy of Cinema submitted Manas as the Brazilian entry for Best Ibero-American Film at the 40th Goya Awards.[10]
Oscar submission controversy
By August, Manas was shortlisted alongside other five feature films in the Brazilian submission process for the Academy Award for Best International Feature.[11] Even though The Secret Agent (2025) by Kleber Mendonça Filho was considered a critic favorite after its Cannes' Best Director and Best Actor prizes alongside a strong Neon awards season campaign,[12] reports emerged indicating a possible snub in favor of Manas, which was being supported by 70 high-profiled business companies for its "urgent subject in Brazil". The movement created a public uproar due to the perception of political and personal abuse of the Oscar submission process instead of merit and commercial logic.[13][14] Following the popular outcry, which included a four-minute long video by Fernanda Torres supporting its selection, The Secret Agent was ultimately chosen as the country official submission on 15 September.[15][16]
References
- ^ a b Scarpa, Vittoria (4 September 2024). "Review: Manas". Cineuropa. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (28 August 2024). "Venice's 'Manas,' Backed by Walter Salles and Dardenne Brothers, Debuts Trailer, Bendita Handles Sales". Variety. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (5 September 2025). "Sean Penn Joins Oscar Contender 'Manas' as Executive Producer". Variety. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ Dalton, Ben (6 September 2024). "'Manas', 'Alpha.' win Venice Giornate degli Autori prizes". Screen International. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ "'Manas', que acumula 20 prêmios e retrata violência na Amazônia, tem pré-estreia em Belém". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2025-04-16. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ^ Jenner, Matthew Joseph (2 September 2024). "Venice 2024 review: Manas (Marianna Brennand)". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ Pinto, Flávio (31 October 2024). "Mostra de SP 2024 anuncia vencedores com Coppola, "Ainda Estou Aqui" e "Manas"". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 25 February 2025.
- ^ Hopewell, John (25 November 2024). "Huelva Festival Awards: 'Portrait of a Certain Orient,' 'Manas' Triumph as Brazilian Movie Renaissance Builds". Variety. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
- ^ Guerini, Elaine (14 October 2024). "'Baby', 'Malu' share top honours at Rio film festival". Screen International. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
- ^ "La película 'Manas' representará a Brasil en los Premios Goya". swissinfo (in Spanish). 23 September 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "'O Agente Secreto' e 'Manas' protagonizam disputa por vaga brasileira no Oscar". Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2025-09-12. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (2025-09-07). "Wagner Moura on Oscar Buzz and Returning to Brazil With 'The Secret Agent': 'It Was Liberating to Act in Portuguese Again'". Variety. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
- ^ "O erro inadmissível que o Brasil não pode cometer no Oscar 2026 | Em Cartaz". VEJA (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-09-14.
- ^ Jacobs, Guilherme (2025-09-11). "Por que O Agente Secreto é a melhor escolha para o Brasil no Oscar 2026". Omelete (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-09-14.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (2025-09-15). "Best Int'l Feature Film Entry Process To Hit Fever Pitch This Week As Strong Contest Takes Shape". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (2025-09-15). "Oscars: Brazil Submits 'The Secret Agent' For Best International Feature Film Race". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-09-15.