Patra Spanou Film, a specialized boutique distributor located in Düsseldorf, has officially acquired the international sales rights for the highly anticipated debut feature film from Brazilian director Janaína Marques, titled 'I Built a Rocket Imagining Your Arrival'. This strategic move positions the film for its global premiere at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival's Forum section, an acclaimed arena for showcasing groundbreaking and independent cinematic works. The narrative explores profound emotional landscapes, centering on a woman's journey through memory and a poignant search for her past, intertwined with elements of magical realism and a distinct queer sensibility.
Patra Spanou Film Secures Rights to Marques' Debut, Set for Berlinale Forum Premiere
In a significant development for independent cinema, Patra Spanou Film, a company recognized for its festival-centric approach and commitment to distinctive indie features and documentaries, has announced its acquisition of 'I Built a Rocket Imagining Your Arrival'. This Brazilian production, directed by the emerging talent Janaína Marques, will make its world premiere at the esteemed Berlin Film Festival's Forum section. The film introduces audiences to Rosa, a woman in her fifties, portrayed by Verônica Cavalcanti. During an MRI procedure, a simple request to recall a 'happy memory' propels Rosa into an introspective quest for her mother, Dalva, played by Luciana Souza. The absence of Dalva is rooted in a traumatic past event where she was imprisoned for defending a woman from an attacker, an incident that profoundly impacted Rosa's life trajectory. Marques masterfully crafts the film as a memory-driven road movie, weaving together Rosa's present-day experiences with her imagined reunions with her mother. The director emphasizes that the film is constructed entirely from Rosa's perspective, with shifting locations reflecting her emotional state and sound design bridging her lived reality with her vibrant imagination. Conceived amidst the acute challenges of the pandemic in Brazil, Marques views the film's emphasis on joy and care as a deliberate artistic response to a period of global crisis. Marques, an alumna of Cuba's EICTV and Spain's Universidad Carlos III, brings a wealth of experience from her decorated short-form career, including her award-winning short film 'Los Minutos, Las Horas'. The feature is a collaborative effort, produced by Maurício Macêdo at Moçambique Audiovisual in Fortaleza, Brazil, with additional support from Delírio Filmes, Instituto Mirante de Arte e Cultura, Projeto Paradiso, Show Me The Fund, and the Embassy of Brazil in Berlin.
This acquisition and upcoming premiere highlight the growing global recognition for diverse storytelling and independent filmmakers. Janaína Marques' 'I Built a Rocket Imagining Your Arrival' promises to be a deeply moving and artistically rich cinematic experience, prompting audiences to reflect on the intricate interplay of memory, trauma, and the power of imagination in navigating life's challenges. The film's presence at such a prestigious festival underscores the importance of platforms that champion unique voices and narratives from around the world.
