Paris-based Urban Sales has swooped in on the international sales rights to Brazilian writer-director Carolina Markowitz’s long-awaited debut film “Charcoal” (“Carvão”), which is set to have its world premiere at the prestigious Toronto podium before heading to San Sebastian for the arc Europe as part of just revealed Horizontes Latinos Collection.
Urban Sales also shared with diverse Still the first look from the movie.
Distribution in Brazil is managed by Pandora Films, founded by André Sturm, which launched the country’s first classic film streaming platform Belas Artes in 2019, bringing big names, cults and regional classics to audiences across the country.
Markowicz has written and directed six short films that have been selected by 400 festivals including Locarno, SXSW, Toronto and AFI. Her short film “The Orphan,” a gritty tale about an eccentric young boy trying to navigate his latest adoption after being placed with a wealthy conservative family, premiered at Directors’ Fortnight and won the Queer Palm Award at Cannes in 2018.
“We have always felt close to Brazilian cinema, working with filmmakers like Marco Dutra, Giuliana Rojas, Sandra Kogut and Izmir Filho,” said Louise Ronzet, Head of Sales at Urban Sales.
She added, “We found Karolina Markovic’s debut to be simply amazing. She wrote and directed social satire, depicting the harsh reality of those who live (and die prematurely from) the coal industry, but she did so with such boldness and authenticity, through scathing humor and in an action packed atmosphere. We look forward to public and buyer feedback on this gem.”
“Coal” follows an extended family in rural Brazil who lives in a rural village connected to a coal factory. When offered cash and a way to get rid of the monotony, they agree to harbor a mysterious fugitive while trying to keep up with appearances across town to hide a hateful secret.
The project takes a dark, satirical look at religion, life, death and commitment as each family member learns about the home’s captivating and disturbing new guest.
Carolina Markovic
Credit: Renata Terebins
“There’s no ‘nonsense’ anymore. ‘Coal’ is my experience, to understand that. In a way, why did we end up like this. It’s a huge honor to be in the podium competition and San Sebastian with my first advantage,” Markovic said.
She added, “This will be my fifth time at TIFF and I am very grateful and proud of such important festivals that showcase my work in prestigious sections.” “I am delighted to be working with Urban, who joins our team of very talented and fortunate cast and crew that I have been fortunate to work with since the inception of the project, over five years ago.”
“Charcoal” is produced by Brazilian Zeta Carvalhosa at Cinematográfica Superfilmes (“Fotografação”) and co-produced by Karen Castanho at Biônica Films (“Divinas Divas”) and Alejandro Israel at Argentine Ajimolido Films (“Los Que Vuelvan”). Castanho is producing Markowicz’s upcoming second film, ‘Toll’
“It is a great honor to present Karolina Markovic’s first feature film. Carolina has an original voice with a peculiar sense of humour,” stated Zeta Carvalhosa at Cinematográfica Superfilmes. “The moral resilience of ‘coal’ is a metaphorical extension of the world we are now forced to confront.”
The small but impressive cast elevate the narrative with silly and unsettling humor, bringing each scene into focus. Cesar Bourdon (“Wild Tales”) plays a beleaguered drug lord with Maeve Jinkings (“Aquarius” “Neon Bull”) playing the no-nonsense mother Irene. Camila Mardella (“The Second Mother”) plays Luciana with Aline Marta (“House of Memory”) as the sinister Jurisprudence. Jan Almeida da Costa plays early son Jane with Romulo Braga (“Mary”), concluding the band as Irene’s neglected and often absent husband.
“As an Argentine producer, I am honored to be a part of this delicate and transcendental Carolina film, which I have had the privilege of working on since development, almost five years ago, alongside Carolina, Superfilmes and Biônica,” Israel stated. “I think it’s really important to encourage these types of co-productions in our region to have the best growth in our film industries.”
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