Film shot in the Amazon wins ‘Silver Bear’ at the Berlin Festival
25 de February de 2025
By Marcela Leiros – From Cenarium
MANAUS (AM) – Filmed in the State of Amazonas, the movie The Blue Trail won the Silver Bear award on Saturday night, the 22nd, at the Berlin Festival in Germany. Directed by Gabriel Mascaro, the production features Amazonian actors Adanilo Reis and Rosa Malagueta. The scenes were shot in Manaus, Manacapuru, and Novo Airão.
The film made its world premiere at the international festival. Upon receiving the award, Mascaro expressed his gratitude to everyone who made The Blue Trail possible, highlighting the collaboration of a dedicated team and the importance of creative partnerships that led to the film’s completion.
“I am very happy to be here and honoured to receive this award. Many films that have inspired me as a filmmaker premiered here. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the jury for entrusting this award to my film. It exists thanks to the dedication of many people who worked hard to turn this dream into reality. The Last Blue speaks about the right to dream and the belief that it is never too late to find new meaning in life,” he emphasised.
Actor Rodrigo Santoro, the film’s lead, highlighted the significance of Brazilian audiovisual productions, stressing the importance of recognising independent works produced in the country.
“It is worth believing in Brazilian cinema, and we have seen this for years, day after day. In recent years, especially, national productions have received so much recognition both at home and abroad. It is worth believing in independent Brazilian cinema as well, despite all the challenges. This recognition here is of great importance; it is a significant milestone for Brazilian cinema. And the ones who benefit are our culture and our people,” he said.
On social media, Rosa Malagueta, who is also in Berlin, celebrated the achievement and thanked the people of the Amazon, particularly those from her hometown, Tabatinga, located 1,114 kilometres from the capital, Manaus.
“I am so happy, really happy that we are being recognised worldwide. This, I think, is the first festival we are attending like this, with an international award, and many more festivals are coming. I am sure that The Blue Trail will win many more prizes. I want to thank all the people in Brazil, especially those from Manaus, Amazonas, and Tabatinga—my homeland, right? We have shown our people to the entire world,” she shared.
Plot
The story unfolds in a near-dystopian version of the Amazon, where the government imposes drastic measures, such as relocating the elderly to specific colonies under the pretext of offering them a “better life.”
Amidst this scenario, Tereza, played by Denise Weinberg, embarks on a singular journey to fulfil her last wish, symbolising the strength of the human spirit and the ability to resist adversity even in a hostile environment.
The Blue Trail also won two other awards: the Ecumenical Jury Prize and the Audience Award, given by readers of the newspaper Berliner Morgenpost. The film is a co-production between Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and the Netherlands and is expected to arrive in Brazilian cinemas in 2025, distributed by Vitrine Filmes.