Helvécia

Runtime: 80'

Expected release: March, 2025

Production stage: Editing

Budget: €420 000 (37% in place)

1st feature: No

Looking for: Co-Producers, Buyers, Gap Financing, Strategic Guidance, Sales Agents, Distributors, Festivals

Synopsis:

Wesley, a 15-year-old, lives in Helvécia, a former Swiss and German colony in Brazil. As he experiences the transition to adulthood and the discovery of a first love, he tries to escape the destiny of most of the village’s inhabitants: working on eucalyptus plantations. During the summer holidays, he gets together with his friends to overcome the lack of prospects and share their passion: taming wild horses

Director’s profile:

Pablo Francischelli is a film director, producer and editor. His most recent documentary feature film “Dois Tempos” (2021), premiered at It’s All True/É Tudo Verdade International Documentary Film Festival and was screened in movie theaters, museums and film festivals around the world. Before that, he directed the film “Electric Accent” (2017), and “Siba – Playing Through the Storm” (2012).

He also directed the doc series “A Invenção do Olhar” (nominated for the Brazilian Cinema Grand Prix), “Seven lives, seven strings” (Best Script award at São Paulo International Film Festival) and “Refugee’Sounds” (in partnership with UNHCR) among others. As a teacher, he collaborates with HEAD – Haute École D’Art et Design de Genève, Escola de Cinema Darcy Ribeiro and SAE Institute Geneva.

Producer’s profile:

Luc Peter is an independent film director and producer since 1995. He directed and produced his first feature-length documentary in 1995. Since then, he has directed 8 film documentaries and numerous TV documentaries. In 2000, he joined Intermezzo Films as an associate producer and was trained in production at EuroDoc in 2006. Founded in 1993, Intermezzo Films is run today by Luc Peter and Katia Monla and produces independent documentaries and fiction. It supports ambitious projects and revisits narrative forms to foster innovative and creative films. With over 60 films to its name, Intermezzo Films is today one of the most prominent production companies in the French speaking part of Switzerland. The films it produces have been presented and rewarded in the finest festivals (Sundance, IDFA, IFFR, ACID Cannes, Visions du Réel, Venice Film Festival).