08-05-2025
Germany's Komplizen Boards Michelangelo Antonioni Swan Song ‘Technically Sweet' in Co-Production with ‘Senna's Gullane and Italy's Vivo Film (EXCLUSIVE)
Germany's Komplizen has boarded 'Technically Sweet,' a drama based on the last screenplay by the late and legendary Michelangelo Antonioni ('Blowup'), which Brazil's Gullane Filmes ('Senna') and Italy's Vivo Film ('Le Quattro Volte') have been developing.
'We are committed to making a significant German contribution to the project,' said Komplizen's Jonas Dornbach, Janine Jackowski and Maren Ade, who expressed their delight at joining the project.
More from Variety
Jeremy Irons, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York Join Animated Sci-Fi Adventure 'The Crystal Planet,' Sold by Sola Media (EXCLUSIVE)
Cannes' Marché du Film Announces Brazil Country of Honor Program With Presence of Minister of Culture, Focus on Co-Production and Funding
Mubi Signs Major Three-Year Co-Production, Financing and Distribution Pact With Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli's Our Films (EXCLUSIVE)
The film is to be directed by Brazil's André Ristum, the son of Antonioni's A.D. Jirges Ristum, who died before he could take over the project that the maestro had entrusted to him. Antonioni's widow, Enrica Antonioni, is an associate producer.
'Technically Sweet' follows a man in his forties whose sudden trip to Sardinia compels him to reevaluate his life. He navigates tense real estate dealings, grows entangled with a girl he can't quite understand and forges a deep connection with a boy who draws him in. As unexpected events unfold, he slips further from the path he once followed. After a personal setback, he heads into the Amazon, where confronting the forces of nature alters the course of his life.
'The idea is to shoot it in Sardinia and Brazil's Amazon,' Fabiano Gullane told Variety while in Madrid with his brother Caio Gullane for the Premios Platino awards event, adding that the company aims to make three movies and three series a year.
'Brazil has a mature audiovisual industry and it is now bolstered by the activity of the streamers,' he said, reveling in the fact that Brazil is the Country of Honor at this year's Cannes Marché du Film.
Among Guallane's upcoming projects is the sequel to its animated musical feature 'Noah's Ark,' a co-production with India's Symbiosys Entertainment ('Ant Man,' 'Wolverine') and Walter Salles' Videofilmes (behind Oscar-winning 'I'm Still Here'). Edward Noeltner's LA-based CMG is an associate producer and has sold 'Noah's Ark' to 72 countries. 'This is the biggest animation project to come out of Brazil,' the Gullanes declared. In the sequel, the ark is now on dry land and the stowaway rats, Vini and Tito alongside female rat Nina, visit the other animals who have disembarked. They will perform songs by Vinícius de Moraes that were not used in the first film.
Also in development is 'New Cancun' with Sandra Kogut 'Campo Grande') attached to direct and Sandra Casé ('The Second Mother') to star.
The co-production with Meltem Films (France), Globo Filmes and Telecine follows 65-year-old Madá who has vowed to bury a keepsake at a river's source if her surrogate daughter Vanessa's risky pregnancy succeeds. When they arrive, the site has been overtaken by New Cancun, a smart city project led by Madá's former boss. Blocked from the river, Madá is forced to confront both a changing landscape and long-buried wounds.
Currently in production is drama 'School Without Walls' by Cao Hamburger ('The Year My Parents Went on Vacation'), a co-production with Portugal's Ukbar Filmes, France's Playtime and Brazil's Globo Filmes.
The drama is based on the true story of Braz Nogueira, an educator who becomes principal of a public school in Heliópolis, one of Brazil's largest slums. Faced with daily violence, disengaged teachers and government neglect, he confronts the chaos with empathy and resolve. Through an innovative pilot project, he unites students, teachers and community leaders—transforming the school and the neighborhood it serves.
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz
Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
