Chico Mendes’ Legacy to be Honored with Sustainable Doc and Biopic

A pioneering venture in sustainable cinema

Excitement is building as São Paulo-based Estudio Escarlate gears up to unveil the “Chico Vive” project at this year’s Expocine. This ambitious initiative includes the production of both a documentary and a biopic about the legendary Brazilian environmentalist Chico Mendes. Additionally, they will be developing a manual with innovative guidelines for sustainable film and TV productions.

Sustainable productions to set a new standard

Directors Sergio Carvalho and Sergio Machado are at the helm of these groundbreaking projects, which will be Brazil’s first fully sustainable film productions. The documentary is poised to make its debut at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in November 2025, hosted in Belem, a city nestled within the Amazon Rainforest.

Star-studded cast to bring Chico Mendes’ story to life

The biopic, featuring Jorge Paz as Chico Mendes and TV star Bruno Gagliasso, is slated to begin filming in 2026 with a release aimed for 2027, both domestically and internationally. The meticulous collection of data and experiences from these productions will serve as the foundation for a comprehensive manual on sustainable filmmaking, expected to be published in 2027.

Honoring a hero’s legacy

Chico Mendes, an emblematic figure in the fight to protect the Amazon Rainforest, gained international recognition for his efforts before his untimely death in 1988. As the leader of the rubber tapper trade union, Mendes spearheaded pacifist movements known as “empates,” where workers used their bodies to halt the incursion of machinery into the forest.

Henning, CEO of Estudio Escarlate, draws a powerful comparison: “Chico Mendes is the Amazon Rainforest’s Mahatma Gandhi, a hero who devoted his final years to raising awareness about the critical need to preserve the forest.”

Strategic partnerships and support

During Expocine, an agreement will be inked with Embratur, Brazil’s federal agency dedicated to promoting the country as a prime tourist destination. Embratur is currently assembling a federal film commission that will aid Escarlate in locating optimal shooting locations, hiring local staff, and ensuring authenticity by filming directly in the Amazon Rainforest.

In a bid to further bolster the project, Escarlate has secured collaborations with Brazil’s Environment and Racial Equity ministries. Rafael Dragaud serves as the artistic director for this pioneering venture.

Promoting green investments and practices

In collaboration with Pachamama Investimentos, a firm specializing in green asset investments and ESG practices, Escarlate aims to underscore the importance of sustainability. Pachamama’s shareholder, Bruno Gagliasso, will not only act in the biopic but also take on the role of associate producer alongside Jorge Paz.

Pachamama, in conjunction with Greener Tokens, a Swiss company using blockchain technology to promote sustainability, will meticulously track the carbon emissions of both films from script development through post-production. By purchasing tokens from Greener, Escarlate will offset its emissions, channeling funds towards various environmental projects within the Amazon Rainforest.

Crafting a blueprint for sustainable filmmaking

The expertise and insights garnered throughout the production of these films will be distilled into a detailed manual, offering practical guidelines for sustainable practices within the film and TV industry in Brazil.

“The manual will provide actionable steps and requirements for sustainability,” explains Gagliasso. “It will cover areas such as energy efficiency, water resource management, waste disposal, recycling, carbon emission reduction, and the inclusion of local residents in production roles.”

Gagliasso firmly believes that this manual will play a pivotal role in transforming the local film and TV landscape, setting a benchmark for future projects.

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