Brazil Named 'Special Guest Country' of Cannes Festival

This year the Festival de Cannes celebrates Brazil as its "special guest country". Following on from Egypt in 2011, it is the second year in a row that the Festival has shone the spotlight on a great filmmaking nation.

The quality of Brazil's output is clearly on display with four films in Official Selection, plus On the Road by Walter Salles in Competition.

A Música segundo Tom Jobim by Nelson Pereira dos Santos, co-directed with Tom Jobim's granddaughter Dora Jobim, will be the subject of as Special Screening on Tuesday May 22. Tom Jobim, composer of the famous "Girl from Ipanema" was one of the founding fathers of Bossa Nova. Nelson Pereira dos Santos for his part is considered as one of the pioneers of new Brazilian cinema.

Also being screened during Cannes Classics:

- Xica da Silva by Carlos Diegues, one of the most prominent Brazilian directors in terms of the Festival de Cannes (in particular with his films Bye bye Brasil - 1980, Quilombo - 1986, Rio Zone - 1987). He is President of the Jury at this year's Caméra d´Or.

- Twenty Years Later by Eduardo Coutinho. Eduardo Coutinho is regarded as Brazil's most important documentary maker, having also made Edificio Master, The Mighty Spirit and Peões.

Carlos Diegues, Nelson Pereira dos Santos and Juliana Rojas (whose Trabalhar Cansa was selected for Un Certain Regard in 2011), will also take part in a debate at the Short Film Corner.

Director Karim Ainouz (whose Madame Sata was selected for Un Certain Regard in 2002 and Abismo Prateado at the Directors' Fortnight in 2011) is a member of the Cinéfondation and short films juries.

The homage to Brazil will conclude with a musical fiesta on Tuesday May 22 at the Agora from 11 pm.