Brazil’s Tourism Board, Embratur, is spearheading an eight-pronged strategy to boost audiovisual-inspired tourism in the country. After all, studies reveal that some 90 million people worldwide choose their holiday destinations based on what they’ve seen on films, TV series and digital games.
Case in point: Dubrovnik, Croatia is still overwhelmed by tourists keen to see where Cersei Lannister’s walk of shame took place in “Game of Thrones.” Rio de Janeiro and its celebrated carnival probably first caught the world’s attention with the 1959 Oscar-winning classic, “Black Orpheus.” More contemporary gems such as “City of God,” “Elite Squad” and “Four Days in September” showcased a grittier but still compelling city. But Embratur is also keen to lure people away from the well-trodden beaches of Rio de Janeiro.
Kleber Mendonça’s “The Secret Agent,” which received four Oscar nominations, won four key awards in Cannes last year and swept the Premios Platino in April, has shone a spotlight on the state capital of Recife, where it was shot.
Recife, Courtesy of Embratur
Around three years ago, with the revival of policies aimed at strengthening the audiovisual industry, Embratur began developing a portfolio of projects designed to connect with the audiovisual sector in partnership with the federal government, film commissions, third-sector institutions, film festivals, producers and sales agents.
