Desvia Filmes Charts New Course: Indie Focus and "The Last Cruise"

Desvia Filmes, a distinguished Brazilian production company renowned for consistently premiering its projects at major international festivals, is embarking on a pivotal new phase. This transition follows the amicable departure of co-founder Gabriel Mascaro, who has launched his own venture, Trema, focusing on international co-productions and scripted series. Under the continued leadership of British producer Rachel Daisy Ellis, Desvia is now intensifying its dedication to independent, auteur-driven cinema, particularly those exploring unconventional narratives and artistic forms. This strategic refocus aims to build upon Desvia's legacy while welcoming new creative voices.

A significant highlight of Desvia's new direction is Rachel Daisy Ellis's highly anticipated fiction directorial debut, "The Last Cruise." This project, which generated considerable interest at the prestigious San Sebastián Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum, delves into the intriguing story of an elderly couple who choose a cruise ship as their permanent residence instead of a retirement home. The film blends documentary elements with fictionalized storytelling, reflecting Ellis's artistic interest in intimate narratives and the human experience at the fringes of societal norms. "The Last Cruise" exemplifies Desvia's commitment to daring, thought-provoking cinema with global appeal.

Desvia Filmes' Evolving Vision and Leadership

Brazilian production entity Desvia Filmes, celebrated for its unbroken record of securing major international festival showcases for its entire film catalog, is undergoing a significant strategic pivot. This redirection comes after the amicable separation from co-founder Gabriel Mascaro, who has since established a new production label, Trema, in collaboration with Paula Cosenza. Mascaro's new endeavor will concentrate on globally-oriented co-productions, serialized content, and distinctive auteur cinema. Meanwhile, Desvia, under the singular guidance of British producer Rachel Daisy Ellis, is sharpening its focus on films that champion visionary directors and experimental storytelling, ensuring a continued dedication to cinematic innovation.

Rachel Daisy Ellis, a seasoned producer based in Recife, is now at the helm of Desvia, steering its creative trajectory. She views this organizational shift not as a fragmentation, but as an expansion of the collective cinematic portfolio, allowing both Desvia and Trema to explore diverse opportunities. Ellis emphasizes the strong, enduring creative partnership she shared with Mascaro, acknowledging their past successes and the natural evolution that led them both to seek new avenues for artistic expression. This new structure enables Desvia to actively seek and nurture fresh creative talent, while maintaining its core identity as a proponent of bold and artistically significant cinematic works. The company's ongoing slate includes projects like Clarisa Navas's "They Burn the Same Way" and Filipa Reis' "Lontra," alongside the promising debut feature from Indigenous filmmaker Wara, "Who Named the Earth?"

“The Last Cruise”: An Exploration of Love and Unconventional Living

Among Desvia Filmes' burgeoning projects is Rachel Daisy Ellis's directorial foray into fiction, "The Last Cruise," which recently garnered attention at the San Sebastián Co-Production Forum. This film represents a departure into narrative filmmaking for Ellis, blending factual research with fictionalized accounts to tell the poignant story of an elderly couple opting for a life at sea over traditional retirement. The inspiration for this unique concept arose from a surprising statistic shared by the British Council in Recife, highlighting the increasing trend of elderly British citizens passing away on cruise ships, often preferring a final grand voyage to conventional care facilities.

Ellis's initial inclination was to develop a documentary exploring this phenomenon. However, during the pandemic, an article detailing how cruise ship living had become a more economical option than urban residency during a cost-of-living crisis revitalized and refined her artistic vision. "The Last Cruise" is not only logistically complex, requiring long-term filming of a couple on a year-long cruise, but also deeply personal for Ellis. She notes that the film’s intimate, first-person perspective is a hallmark of her directorial style, allowing access to profound emotional layers. This project, much like her previous work "Eros," continues Ellis's exploration of love and companionship, particularly focusing on how individuals navigate relationships while embracing lifestyles that diverge from societal norms. To facilitate this ambitious project, Ellis has secured initial financing in Brazil and has partnered with acclaimed Argentinian producer Gema Juárez Allen for a potential Argentina co-production, reinforcing Desvia's collaborative spirit and global reach.