Ms. Divya Jay from Team CIFF speaks to Directors of the movie AGRESTE: Mr. Sergio Roizenblit and Mr. Ricardo Mordoch to know how they feel about their film being shown at the 21^st CIFF in India for the very first time and that too in the World Cinema Competition section! Here’s what they said:

What made you choose filmmaking?

Mr. Sergio: I started working in audiovisuals in 1987. On the first day I saw an analog editing

suite, I fell in love and decided to devote my life to this path. Undoubtedly, what

inspired me to become a filmmaker is my infinite love for cinema. I spent hours and hours watching films non-stop. The other thing is my love for people’s stories. And finally, my love for the opportunity to tell stories that are important in people’s lives.

Mr. Ricardo: From an early age, I’ve had a profound love for cinema. Going to the movies and watching films was a family tradition, with my parents exposing me to a wide range of genres and directors. My mother worked in photo production, and I developed a fascination for cameras, lights, equipment and framing by accompanying her on the set.Aged 20, I entered the film school at the public university, and since then, I’ve been involved in various filmmaking roles, particularly as a producer or assistant director. ‘Agreste’ marks my debut as a co-director for a feature-length film. I believe that the seventh art is a powerful bridge to connect people from different backgrounds and experiences.

What motivated you to make this film?

Mr. Sergio: This film is an adaptation of a 2004 play that won all possible awards, running for 10

years and, from the first time I watched it, I thought it would be a beautiful story to

bring to the cinema. The second thing is Newton’s script, which has a beautiful poetry in its writings.

Mr. Ricardo: What captivated me about ‘Agreste’ was its story; the script is profoundly poetic, well-written and relevant. Newton Moreno’s text is a blend of poetry and prose that perfectly captures the Northeastern hinterland of the 1990s. Additionally, the landscapes of Northeast Brazil, the people and the places we had the opportunity to discover and interact with during filming were incredibly inspiring. We immersed ourselves for weeks with the cast in a Quilombola community that served as the film’s setting, and much of the creative process unfolded there. Every morning, we ventured out in silence, solely to observe and connect with that space and its realities.

Mr. Sergio: For me it was wonderful news to take the film to India.

Mr. Ricardo: I am genuinely delighted about our film being featured in the 21st Chennai International Film Festival. It’s a wonderful chance to showcase our work to a diverse and enthusiastic audience.