Marcelo Cajueiro The Rio Intl. Film Festival wrapped Monday amid political tension and with a strong local competition that awarded Marcelo Gomes’ “Paloma” the top film prize.
It is based on the true story of a poor trans woman who struggled to marry her partner in a religious ceremony. Following compact editions over the past three years, Rio Fest – traditionally Latin America’s main film fest – regained part of its original size and importance, as it premiered locally about 120 features selected from the top international film fests, resumed outdoor screenings and featured a hybrid market.
The highlight was Premiere Brasil, the competition of 86 features and shorts for the Redentor kudos. Adirley Queiros’ and Joana Pimenta’s “Mato Seco em Chamas,” a Brazil/Portugal coproduction, received the jury special prize.
The pic combines both fiction and doc elements to tell the story of two sisters who lead a gang that sells oil stolen from a pipeline.
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