Manas (2024)

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Island of Marajó, Amazon rainforest. Marcielle (Tielle), 13, lives by the riverbanks with her father, mother, and three siblings. Prompted by her mother’s words, she idolizes her older sister who supposedly escaped her reality by “finding a good man” on the barges that ply the region. As Tielle matures, her idealized visions shatter, leaving her trapped between two abusive environments. Increasingly worried about her younger sister and the bleak future they face, she decides to confront the oppressive system that controls her family and the women in their community.

This is the synopsis of Manas, the first fiction feature by Brazilian director Marianna Brennand, which is having its world premiere in the Giornate degli Autori at the Venice Film Festival, taking place from 28 August to 7 September. +

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“Manas” has scored the Venice Days director’s award.

[BluBonnet]

Had to go out of town to catch an early festival showing of this movie, with director Marianna Brennand in person. Very much worth it, easily one of the best feature film directorial debuts by a documentarian that I have ever seen!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ly9FXf1w4c

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Marianna is currently in Cannes, promoting this movie and also accepting the prestigious Festival du Cannes 2025 Women in Motion Emerging Talent Award



As Deadline explains,

Manas is the result of eight years of research where she and colleagues interviewed young girls and their families “about this very specific reality that happens in the north of Brazil,” she explains, “in this very specific social, political, economical context. But sexual violence happens everywhere, and familial abuse happens next door to us.”

[BluBonnet]

I enjoyed Manas a lot and was glad to meet Marianna Brennand... I'm also very glad the movie will now have a theatrical release in North America

Brazilian Venice Days Winner & Oscar Hopeful ‘Manas’, Exec-Produced By Walter Salles & Dardenne Brothers, Gets U.S. Deal

Marianna Brennand’s Venice Days 2024 winner Manas, whose executive producers include Walter Salles and the Dardenne brothers, has been acquired by KimStim for U.S. release.

New York outfit KimStim will release the film for a limited run on a soon to be announced date in up to 20 U.S. cities and is gunning for the film to represent Brazil at the Oscars. Bendita Film Sales will continue international sales at the Toronto market.

Born out of ten years of research in the Amazon from documentarian Brennand, Manas tells the story of Marcielle, a 13-year-old from Marajó Island. Silenced in a society that ignores violence against women and children, she confronts generational wounds and chooses to take control of her destiny, forever altering her family’s fate.

The feature managed a 13-week run in Brazilian cinemas and was released in more than 70 theaters nationwide.

The arthouse film, which won the Best Director Award in Venice Days last year, is one of many hoping to represent Brazil at the Oscars. Stiff competition will come in the shape of Cannes favourite The Secret Agent.

Walter Salles won the Best International Film Oscar last year with Brazilian drama I’m Still Here. The Dardenne brothers’ film Young Mothers is Belgium’s submission for the Academy Awards in 2026.

KimStim Co-President, Ian Stimler said: “Manas exemplifies the kind of artistically daring, emotionally nuanced, and socially urgent filmmaking that defines the best of international cinema. We are honored to bring this extraordinary film to U.S. audiences and to support its journey through awards season and beyond. KimStim is fully committed to supporting the Manas team in their efforts to secure an Oscar nomination and win.”

Brennand added: “Partnering with KimStim, a deeply curated arthouse distributor in the United States, marks a pivotal moment for Manas. After a global journey of 26 awards, with both audience and jury acclaim, and theatrical distribution in six countries, bringing the film into the North American market is an essential next step. The American film community has a unique power to shape conversations around cinema and social themes, and we believe this audience will connect deeply with the urgency and universality of the story Manas carries, creating awareness around the message it carries.”

[Cremildo]

A quiet mix of slice-of-life and exposé about girls vulnerable to socially-tolerated sexual abuse (at home) and sexual exploration (at "work") in the North of Brazil. Handheld camera, shallow focus, and close-ups make up the director's repertoire. Recommended only for those who appreciate an often-neglected setting and thorny subject matter.

[BluBonnet]

^pretty reductive & shallow take, but whatevs.

This would be a very worthy movie to represent Brazil in the Oscars, if selected.