Today saw the launch of Programadora Brasil, an ambitious program created by the Ministério da Cultura with the Secretaria do Audiovisual, the Cinemateca Brasileira, and the Centro Técnico Audiovisual which will facilitate the exhibition of recent Brazilian productions and historical films in non-commercial circuits. It's a well-documented fact that there is a severe shortage of movie theaters in Brazil, and the few screens that do exist are dominated by American films. Therefore, one of the objectives of the Programadora Brasil is to democratize access to national cinema as well as increase exposure to Brazilian filmmaking.

Another objective of the Programadora is the restoration of historical films. According to the Ministério da Cultura's press release, the program was launched with 126 films that span nine decades. These films are organized in "38 thematic programs [that are] directed at various audiences," and will be sent to any organization in the country that wishes to show them in public (non-commercial) sessions, from public schools to cineclubes. The plan is to continually expand the program's catalogue, with a goal of obtaining 1,000 titles.

Another exciting project is that a magazine will be published in conjunction with the DVDs with "the intention of recuperating critical thinking" and elaborating "debate about Brazilian cinema."

With a multi-million real (Brazil's currency) budget, Programadora Brasil has the potential to be far more effective than its well-meaning but under-funded (and non-governmental) predecessors. What's more, being a government project headed by Gilberto Gil (a revered musician who is now the Minister of Culture), it has enough influence to actually make a difference. I'm particularly looking forward to getting my hands on the magazine, as there is no publication that is dedicated solely to criticism of Brazilian filmmaking. Of course, projects like this always seem good on paper, but it's the details that make it a success or failure. (If you read Portuguese, TELA VIVA has a good rundown of the nuts and bolts at the bottom of the page.) I hope they manage to make it work.