Italian
Brazilian literary classic turned into animated feature
A new animation sensation at Ventana Sur
One of the most anticipated titles at Ventana Sur’s Animation! is “The Factory Beyond the Hill”, an evocative piece brought to life by Lucas Abrahão and Ricardo Kump. This film adapts the work of celebrated Brazilian author J.J. Veiga for the big screen for the very first time. The adaptation promises a visual and narrative treat that’s poised to captivate audiences.
Capturing the essence of J.J. Veiga
J.J. Veiga has been long revered for his uniquely visual storytelling. Yet, bringing his work to the screen has remained an enigma until now. Abrahão notes that although some of Veiga’s short stories have been transformed into TV formats, his cinematic presence has been conspicuously absent. He passionately asserts, “His portrayal of Brazil’s rural heartlands is spectacular and it’s our mission to do justice to his vision.”
An atmospheric blend of horror and allegory
Veiga’s writing is known for its atmospheric depth, often bordering on horror. His narratives are rooted in under-represented settings – the rural heartlands of central Brazil, areas largely unseen in mainstream cinema. Writing during Brazil’s military dictatorship, Veiga infused his work with rich allegories of authoritarianism, giving his stories an additional layer of gravitas.
Bridging magical realism and Kafkaesque elements
Although Veiga didn’t appreciate being labeled as a “magical realist,” his work shares a kinship with authors like Julio Cortázar and Gabriel García Márquez. Abrahão suggests it’s the Kafkaesque tone in Veiga’s writing that sets him apart. “He wrote clearly about very strange things. This combination is highly cinematic, making the lack of previous adaptations quite surprising.”
Distinctive artistic vision
Art Director Ricardo Kump brings a unique visual approach to “The Factory Beyond the Hill.” His goal is to use collage and painting techniques to faithfully recreate the rural landscapes of Veiga’s Brazil. Kump’s background in stop motion animation and motion graphics adds depth to the film’s visual narrative. His previous horror short, “The Cactus,” has earned several awards, promising that “The Factory Beyond the Hill” will be visually striking.
An intriguing journey in a remote village
Adapted from Veiga’s eponymous short story, “The Factory Beyond the Hill” revolves around the upheaval in a remote Brazilian village caused by mysterious outsiders building a factory. Two teens, driven by curiosity, embark on an investigation to discover the true motives of these outsiders. Their journey pits them against powerful adversaries, testing their courage and exposing their community’s silent compliance and internal conflicts.
Collaborative production efforts
The animated feature is a product of collaboration between LPB Content (Brazil) and Noon Films (Spain). LPB Content, based in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, has produced multiple live-action features and is also distributing the successful Brazilian animation “Teca & Tuti: A Night at the Library.” “The Factory Beyond the Hill” marks LPB Content’s foray into animated films.
Noon Films, with a solid background in documentaries and animation over the past 15 years, adds their expertise to the project. They have been recognized with the Ibermedia Next Development grant for their interactive animation project, “A Dangerous Journey: Pepi’s Story,” further underscoring their authoritative presence in the field.
Bringing Brazilian literature to a global audience
“The Factory Beyond the Hill” not only introduces the film industry to J.J. Veiga’s brilliance but also paints a visually stunning picture of Brazil’s lesser-seen regions. As the project unfolds, it promises to leave a lasting impact on both Brazilian cinema and the international animation community.
Stay tuned for more updates and share this journey on your social media to keep the conversation going. Follow our publications for the latest in film and animation.
