Get ready to be captivated! Rafhael Barbosa's animated feature, 'Utopia,' is shaping up to be a groundbreaking film, and it's bringing together some incredible talent. This film promises to be a visually stunning and thought-provoking journey.
The film has secured the talents of Rejane Faria, known for her work in 'Mars One' and 'The Best Mother in the World,' and Matamba Joaquim, who starred in 'The Captive.' Adding to the excitement, Anderson Mahanski, the animation director behind Netflix's hit 'Super Drags,' is on board as animation director and associate producer.
'Utopia' has also been selected for Ventana Sur Animation!, a prestigious event in Buenos Aires that champions Latin American film and TV.
But here's where it gets controversial... The story, penned by Barbosa and Werner Salles, unfolds in 1695. It centers around a family of slaves who spark a rebellion, seeking refuge in the utopian Quilombo dos Palmares, guided by a spiritual calling. They embark on a perilous journey to reach the quilombo amidst a raging war. And this is the part most people miss... The war isn't the end of their struggle.
Barbosa emphasizes that the story is set in "the longest-lasting and most organized refuge for enslaved Africans outside of Africa." The film aims to not only tell this story to modern audiences but also to reimagine it from an Afro-futurist and Afro-surrealist perspective.
The film's animation will employ a mix of techniques, primarily 2D cut-out animation. The dreamlike elements of the script will allow for experimentation with different styles, using 2D frame-by-frame animation for the characters' dreams and visions. The project draws inspiration from films like Luiz Bolognesi's 'A Story of Love and Fury,' Mel Gibson's 'Apocalypto,' and the Angolan animation 'Nayola: In Search of My Ancestry.'
Here's a thought-provoking point: Barbosa points out the significant lack of Black professionals in the animation industry. 'Utopia' aims to change this by assembling a team of Black animators for this project.
Barbosa's production company, La Ursa Cinematográfica, is dedicated to original productions by emerging Black artists, challenging stereotypes and reshaping perceptions of his home state of Alagoas. He hopes to establish strong co-production partnerships to expand their productions globally.
Alagoas is experiencing a surge of creative energy, six decades after its most famous export, Cacá Diegues, helped launch Brazil's Cinema Novo movement. This year, Alagoas made a splash at Cannes, with several films representing the state.
La Ursa is a driving force in the region, having produced Barbosa's 'Cavalo,' the first feature film directed by a Black man and produced with public funding in the state. The company is also working on five other features, including Barbosa's fantasy film 'Look at Me' and Stella Carneiro's debut, 'Daughters of the Mangrove.'
'Utopia' is produced by La Ursa Cinematográfica in co-production with Estúdio Núcleo Zero and Grão Filmes. The film has received funding from the Guilherme Rogato Prize, Brazil's federal Audiovisual Sector Fund (FSA/Ancine), and the Paulo Gustavo Law.
What are your thoughts on this project? Do you find the Afro-futurist and Afro-surrealist perspective intriguing? Share your opinions in the comments below!
