‘O Projeto’ Directors on Walter Salles’ Support and Screening Poetic Doc About Colonialism Ahead of ‘Dramatic’ Brazilian Elections That Offer a ‘Choice Between Good and Evil’
Brazilian director Sabrina Fidalgo and Swiss photographer Yvan Rodic’s documentary road movie “O Projeto” is screening at the Mostra de São Paulo after beginning its festival run at Gramado. Travelling through Brazil, Germany and Switzerland, it examines how more than six centuries of colonialism continue to shape societies in both the global North and South.
The film combines archival material, interviews with figures including Grada Kilomba and Djamila Ribeiro, and poetic interludes. Its development began during the pandemic under Jair Bolsonaro’s government, when, Fidalgo says, cultural resources were frozen and Brazil’s film fund was almost nonexistent. The project received support from filmmaker Walter Salles, who praised its treatment of colonialism and whiteness, and from director Laís Bodanzky, an associate producer.
In short
- “O Projeto” explores colonialism’s continuing effects across several countries.
- The documentary brings together interviews, archives and poetic scenes.
- Walter Salles and Laís Bodanzky supported the film.
Explained simply
Brazil was colonised by Portugal from the 16th century, and the legacy of that rule remains part of debate about race, land and inequality. Colonialism also shaped European societies and their relationships with countries they once controlled.
“O Projeto” is a documentary by Brazilian director Sabrina Fidalgo and Swiss photographer Yvan Rodic. It follows a journey through Brazil, Germany and Switzerland, using interviews, archive footage and poetic scenes to explore those legacies.
The film was developed during Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency, when Fidalgo says public support for culture and film had dwindled. Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles supported the project, which also features interviews with writers and scholars Grada Kilomba and Djamila Ribeiro.
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