Split Screen Acquires Eliza Capai’s Brazilian Doc ‘The Fabulous Time Machine’ Ahead of Berlin Premiere
Split Screen has recently secured the global rights, excluding Brazil, to Eliza Capai’s poignant documentary, “The Fabulous Time Machine.” The film is set to make its world debut at the upcoming Berlinale in the Generation KPlus section, offering a glimpse into the lives of young girls in the Brazilian hinterland. This acquisition underscores Split Screen’s commitment to bringing compelling international stories to a broader audience.
The Documentary’s Journey and Impact
Eliza Capai began envisioning “The Fabulous Time Machine” in 2013 after visiting Guaribas, a town once known as the “hunger capital” of Brazil. Under President Lula’s first administration, the municipality served as the testing ground for the Fome Zero (“Zero Hunger”) program. A subsequent initiative, Bolsa Família, further transformed Guaribas by providing financial aid to impoverished families, contingent upon their children attending school and receiving vaccinations.
These programs have significantly altered the social landscape of Guaribas. Capai observed the positive changes firsthand, noting the stark contrast between the current generation of young girls, who play freely, and their mothers, who endured harsher circumstances under Brazil’s societal challenges.
Filmmaker’s Insight and Community Involvement
Capai shared with Variety her emotional response to the community’s evolution, attributing much of the progress to Bolsa Família. Her initial visits to Guaribas laid the groundwork for filming, allowing the director to build trust within the community. This trust extended to giving the girls the creative freedom to document their own experiences and perspectives.
The director emphasized the ethical responsibility she felt while filming, particularly with young subjects. She mentioned extensive discussions with families about the film’s content and careful editing to protect the children’s narratives.
A Debut with Significance
The Berlin premiere of “The Fabulous Time Machine” is both a personal and political milestone for Capai. She describes the opportunity to showcase the film at a politically-engaged festival as fulfilling a long-held ambition. The presence of the young stars and their mothers at the premiere adds a layer of symbolic importance, marking a significant moment for the girls traveling internationally for the first time.
Split Screen’s Lorena Morin expressed admiration for the film after seeing it at the Brasil Cinemundi co-production meeting. The company’s decision to acquire it was driven by the emotional impact and uniqueness of the story crafted by Capai and the girls of Guaribas.
The Bigger Picture for Brazilian Cinema
Amidst the rising profile of Brazilian cinema on the global stage, evidenced by groundbreaking Golden Globe wins, Capai comments on the necessity of robust public policies to sustain this momentum. She advocates for the recognition of the film industry as a significant sector, on par with major industries like automotive, and calls for sustained governmental support to ensure the continued growth of Brazilian cinema.
