Italian
Brazilian stars launch new production label ‘South’
A new dawn in cinema
Brazilian actors Alice Braga and Bianca Comparato have embarked on an exciting new venture, launching a production label named South. This innovative company, with bases in Los Angeles, New York, and São Paulo, aims to bring fresh, compelling stories to the global stage. The initiative is backed by FLAGCX, the largest independent creative services holding company in Latin America.
Debut project: ‘She, Crocodile’
South’s first feature project, Gabriela Amaral Almeida‘s body-horror story She, Crocodile, will make its debut at the 12th edition of the San Sebastian Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum from September 25-27. Described as a “horror fable,” the film tells the story of a young woman, the sole heiress to a luxury real estate brokerage in Rio de Janeiro, who undergoes a terrifying transformation into a crocodile.
A unique vision
Amaral, known for her genre-defining works like The Father’s Shadow and Friendly Beast, explains that She, Crocodile is her way of exploring violence through the lenses of capitalism and women’s issues. “The film is my declaration of love for body horror, David Cronenberg, and Douglas Sirk. Blood, guts, and heart,” she says.
Distribution and production
Vitrine Filmes will distribute She, Crocodile in Brazil. In addition to their roles as executive producers, Amaral and Braga will be joined by Comparato, who will also star in the film. The production team includes Yana Chang, known for The Cambridge Squatter.
Empowerment through horror
Comparato describes the film as a journey of empowerment through body horror, highlighting the unique voice of Gabriela Amaral Almeida. “Entertainment can, through metaphor and allegory, help audiences make sense of issues that we all have a stake in,” she says.
Expanding horizons
South is not stopping at She, Crocodile. The label is working on a short film by Luiz Bolognesi, Renata Tupinambá, and Graciela Guarani, set to shoot in the Amazon next month. They are also developing a new feature from Renee Messora and João Salaviza, the filmmakers behind The Buriti Flower and The Dead and the Others.
Diverse projects in the pipeline
In addition to these projects, South is co-producing a docuseries with Brazilian giant Gullane Entertainment and an action-thriller directed by Gandja Monteiro, who recently worked on Netflix’s Wednesday. The label also holds the film rights to several Brazilian books, including Diorama by Carol Bensimon, The Sound of the Jaguar’s Roar by Micheliny Verunschk, Palimpsesto by Elvira Vigna, and Gótico Nordestino by Christiano Aguiar.
Nurturing new talent
South is committed to nurturing new talent, currently developing two first features from upcoming directors Thatiana Almeida and Thales Banzai. “We invest in a range of content that resonates with audiences and critics. Combining talents, expertise, cutting-edge technology, and entrepreneurial vision, we aim to exceed market expectations while maintaining the flexibility and creativity needed for our productions,” say Comparato and Braga.
A powerful vision
Martini R., CEO of FLAGCX and a partner at South, emphasizes the power of storytelling. “Storytelling is one of the most powerful weapons of our time, and we became passionate about Comparato’s and Braga’s vision to use this as a tool to inspire change.”
Representation and future plans
South is represented by WME in the U.S., and with such a strong foundation, the future looks bright for this new production label. The combination of innovative storytelling, a commitment to diverse voices, and a strong support network positions South as a significant player in the global entertainment industry.
For cinema and TV series enthusiasts, South’s projects promise to deliver unique and thought-provoking content. Whether you’re a fan of body horror, compelling dramas, or innovative storytelling, South is a name to watch.
