The new thriller Rio de Sangue has arrived in Brazilian cinemas bringing a narrative that deviates from the traditional Rio‑São Paulo axis and sets itself in the heart of the Amazon, addressing illegal mining and the exploitation of indigenous communities.
Production immersed in Amazonian reality
The two months of filming took place in Santarém and Alter do Chão, in Pará. The cast says that the closeness to the local population was essential so the story would not feel distant. The action sequences – gunfights, boat chases and fights on the banks of the streams – were shot in the very natural settings, giving an organic feel that would be hard to reproduce in a studio.
To ensure safety and realism, all weapons used were air‑compressed, requiring longer rehearsals than the actual filming. “We react to a shot that doesn’t exist, but we need to feel the real emotion of the scene”, explained actress Giovanna Antonelli.
What the cast has to say
Felipe Simas, who plays the main villain, emphasized the role of national cinema as an awareness tool: “Our responsibility is to reveal what is still unknown, so that society can act”.
Giovanna Antonelli, in the role of Patrícia, confessed that she was surprised to see how mining is presented so naturally in the film, noting that this practice occurs daily in the region. She added that the experience broadened her perspective on Brazil.
Alice Wegmann, who plays the protagonist’s daughter, described the immersion in Pará as something far beyond tourism: “We were welcomed by the community, which made everything more intense and special”.
In addition to the action scenes, the feature includes narration by indigenous actor Fidelis Baniwa, which adds an extra layer of cultural depth to the film.
Rio de Sangue is now playing in cinemas across the country.
