Nossa takes '11-11-11,' 'Papam,' 'Artigas'

RIO DE JANEIRO -- "11-11-11," "Habemus Papam" and "Artigas" feature on the first distribution slate of Nossa Distribuidora, Brazil's groundbreaking new distribution service unveiled last Tuesday at the Rio Film Festival. The company will release about 50 films over late 2011, 2012 and first quarter 2013, CEO Marco Aurelio Marcondes told Variety, which underscores the leverage Nossa seeks to exercise with exhibitors in Brazil. One of Nossa's first releases will be supernatural chiller "11-11-11" from Darren Lynn Bousman ("Saw II," "Saw III" and "Saw IV"). Produced by Epic Pictures Group and Spain's Canonigo Films, it will bow in Brazil on Nov. 11, day-and-date with the U.S. Nanni Moretti's "Papam" is a comic drama about a reluctant new pontiff. "Artigas," helmed by cinematographer-turned-helmer Cesar Charlone ("The Pope's Toilet"), turns on Jose Gervasio Artigas, who struggled from 1806 to 1820 to wrestle independence for Uruguay. This diversity will typify Nossa's pick-ups, from home and abroad, said Marcondes. Nossa will also support new filmmakers. One Nossa title, as already announced, is "Artificial Paradises," about Brazil's rave scene. "Paradises" marks the fiction feature directorial debut of Marcos Prado, producer of "Elite Squad" and "Elite Squad 2." Another Nossa title, Brazilian Western "Matraga -- the Hour and Turn," is a further debut, this time from Vinicius Coimbra, an assistant director on Walter Salles' "Central Station." "Matraga" world premiered last week at the Rio Festival in its Premiere Brasil section. Nossa's first slate will be unveiled in full at the Show Buzios industry convention on Nov. 24-25, Marcondes said. About 30 of Nossa's 50 will be international titles, he added. Nossa's founding partners are largely top-level Brazilian producers -- Jose Padilha and Marcos Prado's Zazen, Fernando Meirelles' o2 Filmes, Daniel Filho's Lereby, Conspiracao Films and Morena Films -- plus Fabio Lima and Marcondes' investment company, FL & MAM Participacoes. But Nossa will be able to access international titles from one partner, indie distrib Vinny Films, run by former Europa Filmes owner Wilson Feitosa. Under Nossa's collections arrangement, box office revenues are paid into a joint account handled by a film's producer and Nossa. "Some of our aims are transparency, being a showcase for talent and having a sensitivity for consumer taste," Marcondes said. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com