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Brazil’s Desvia Filmes Enters New Era With Doubled Focus on Indie and Rachel Daisy Ellis’ San Sebastián Co-Pro Forum’s Buzzy ‘The Last Cruise’
Brazil's prestigious production company Desvia Filmes is entering a new chapter following co-founder Gabriel Mascaro's departure to launch a separate company, Trema, with producer Paula Cosenza. With Mascaro's exit, British producer Rachel Daisy Ellis now leads Desvia's focus towards supporting new creative voices whilst maintaining the company's reputation for backing auteur-driven cinema. This organisational shift allows both companies to operate independently whilst maintaining the possibility of future collaboration.
Desvia Filmes, founded in 2010, has an exceptional track record with all 16 of its features premiering at major international festivals including Berlin, Cannes, and Locarno. Ellis is currently developing her own directorial projects, including the hybrid documentary-fiction film "The Last Cruise," which tells the story of an elderly couple choosing to spend their retirement years on a cruise ship rather than entering residential care. The concept originated from a conversation Ellis had over 15 years ago about elderly Britons dying on cruise ships, and was reimagined during the pandemic when she learned that many people were choosing to live permanently on cruise ships as a cost-effective alternative to housing in major cities.
In short
- Desvia Filmes splits leadership as co-founder Mascaro launches new venture Trema
- Rachel Daisy Ellis leads Desvia's expansion to support new creative voices
- Ellis develops hybrid film "The Last Cruise" about elderly couple choosing cruise ship retirement
Explained simply
Desvia Filmes is a Brazilian film production company founded in 2010. It has backed films by directors with distinctive personal styles, and all 16 of its feature films have premiered at major international festivals such as Berlin, Cannes and Locarno.
The company was co-founded by filmmaker Gabriel Mascaro, who is setting up a separate production company with producer Paula Cosenza. British producer Rachel Daisy Ellis is leading Desvia as it seeks to support new filmmakers while continuing to make director-led films. The two companies will operate independently, with the option to work together in future.
Ellis is also developing films as a director, including The Last Cruise, a blend of documentary and fiction. It follows an older couple who choose to live on a cruise ship in retirement instead of moving into residential care, reflecting wider questions about housing and later life.
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