Santos – a small city on the big screen, the heart of Brazil’s film culture

In the vast land of South America, there is a historical city that records the glory of the country. When it comes to Santos, everyone may be familiar with it, and his football achievements and abundant football sports stars have made Santos famous all over the world. At the same time, however, Santos has another very attractive shining point: cinema. Since being awarded the title of “Capital of Cinema” by UNESCO in 2015, Santos has become a focal point for film lovers and professionals worldwide, making it a must-visit destination for film lovers and cultural seekers alike. What laid the foundation for the development of the film industry in this port city? Why is Santos world-renowned and ranked among the “Film Capitals”? The content of this article revolves around Santos, the “capital of cinema”, and the Creative Center will take you to experience the charm of this century-old city and explore the story of Santos’ innovation and prosperity through film and culture.

The infinite vitality of being in the world’s stage and film capital

Santos is the largest city on the São Paulo coast of Brazil, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sierra Douma Mountains, and this beautiful and historic coastal city occupies an important place on the economic and cultural map of Brazil and all of South America thanks to its unique location.

On the list: Listed as the “Capital of Cinema”

Santos is notable for its rich film history, cultural heritage, and the thriving modern film industry. UNESCO has a very high rating for Santos, awarding it the title of “Capital of Cinema” in 2015.

UNESCO notes that Santos is a “Capital of Cinema” not only because of its excellent filmmaking capabilities, but also because of its outstanding performance in the promotion of film culture, education and community engagement. Santos has promoted the popularization and development of film art at all levels of society through a variety of film festivals, exhibitions and educational programs. In addition, the Santos Municipality and the local community actively support the development of the film industry. The government encourages film companies to set up studios and filming bases in the local area by providing financial support and policy incentives. The community has formed a strong film culture atmosphere by participating in film production and watching movies.

Santos’ film industry is now an important economic pillar of the city. According to the data, the film industry accounts for 15% of Santos’ GDP, employing more than 10,000 people and generating more than R$50 million in economic income for the city every year.

With all his efforts, Santos has not only consolidated his position in the film industry, but also made important contributions to the development of world film culture. The city has a unique way of showing how cultural heritage and innovation can be achieved through the art of cinema. The title of “Film Capital” is not only a recognition of Santos’ film industry and cultural creativity, but also an affirmation of the city’s potential and vitality on the global cultural stage.

Praised: Santos in the eyes of everyone in the movie

Many famous directors and producers have spoken highly of Santos, the “capital of cinema”. Carlos Saldagna, a renowned Brazilian animation director, has expressed his appreciation for Santos’ film culture and unique cityscape, believing that Santos provides an endless source of inspiration for film creation. The famous Brazilian director Walter Sellers once said: “Santos is not only a vibrant and creative city, but also a blessed land for film artists, which brings new perspectives and inspiration to my creations.”

Director Fernando Merriels, famous for the film “City of God”, once mentioned in an interview: “Santos’ unique urban atmosphere and cultural heritage provide rich material for film creation, and it is a place where filmmakers’ dreams come true.”

These evaluations not only demonstrate Santos’ important position in the film industry, but also prove its unique charm as a UNESCO-recognized capital of cinema.

Director Fernando Merrill (left), “City of God” movie poster (right) Source: Baidu Encyclopedia

Long history: Why did the fishery city start the film industry?

From a small fishing village to the international port city of today, Santos has undergone centuries of change and development, becoming an important hub for Brazil’s economy, culture and tourism, and the local film industry sprouted centuries ago.

Years of change create culture

The history of Junction Santos dates back to the early 16th century. After the Portuguese explorer Blas Cuvillal established his first settlement here in 1535, it gradually developed into a small fishing village. Over time, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Santos not only relied on fishing but also developed extensive trade activities.

Due to the importance of the port, Santos has become an important window for cultural exchanges between South America and the rest of the world, attracting immigrants from all over the world to settle in Santos and forming a multicultural community where the rich cultural background provides fertile soil for the development of the film industry and lays a solid cultural foundation for the emerging film industry.

Santos city view overlooks

Economic modernization has given birth to film awareness

After becoming one of Brazil’s important industrial and commercial centers, the city’s large-scale modernization, including the expansion and renewal of port facilities, the improvement of transportation networks, and the construction of urban green spaces and public facilities, has not only helped Santos consolidate its position as a trade and industrial center, but also made it a livable modern city.

The city’s artistic and cultural prosperity supported the city’s artistic and cultural development, and early film screenings began in Santos as early as the early 20th century. The city’s multicultural nature and the residents’ love for art and culture have made film an art form widely accepted and loved in Santos. Local theaters and entertainment venues gradually introduced film screenings, attracting a large number of audiences. With the increase in film screenings, Santos gradually formed his own film culture. Some entrepreneurs and artists in the city began to experiment with local film productions, and these early attempts laid the foundation for the later development of the film industry.

The first film theater in Santos

The holy land of masterpieces: the profound heritage and strength of filmmaking

Over the years, Santos has continued to use its unique cultural resources and creative industries to promote the development of the film industry, continuously expanding its filmmaking capabilities and attracting production teams from all over the world.

The beauty of nature inspires the potential of film production

Santos, along the wide beaches of the South Atlantic, is rich in natural and cultural landscapes, with beaches, ports, historic buildings and modern urban landscapes all ideal for filming international blockbusters. The vigorous development of local culture complements the artistic experience of local filmmakers, stimulating the unlimited potential of film culture and new activities in this beautiful land.

Santos by the sea

The beaches of Santos are ideal for the romantic and action-packed scenes of many films, while the port provides a unique backdrop for action and adventure films. International films such as “City Lights” and “Beach Boys” are all from this wide and splendid beach.

“Beach Boys” (left) “City Lights” (right) movie poster

Creative industry parks gather film producers

Santos has vigorously built a creative industry park, bringing together many film production and technology companies and innovation teams, cultural and creative enterprises and related supporting service enterprises to settle in, providing a full range of infrastructure, technical support and innovative services for film production, and also providing a broad space for the combined development of film and tourism. The Creative Industries Park and the Santos Film Commission serve as an important driving force for the development of the local film industry, providing rich film production resources and perfect infrastructure for film production. Domestic and foreign film crews who come to Santos to shoot their films receive a full range of support and services, including shooting permits, venue rental, equipment rental, personnel coordination, etc.

At the same time, the Santos Municipal Government and related cultural institutions have also set up film funds and creative awards to fund and reward the creation of films with diverse themes, promote the development of the film industry, and show infinite vitality. The Santos Municipality has also established a film fund to support local film production and promote the development of the film industry. Every year, the government provides a total of R$2 million to fund promising film projects and provides preferential policies such as tax breaks for start-up film companies.

Technology and innovation are important driving forces for the development of the film industry. In film production, Santos actively introduces digital technology and new media, exploring the application of advanced scientific and technological means and innovative ideas to improve the production level and viewing experience of films.

Going to the world: the highlight moment of film culture promotion

Film festivals and diverse cultural events

The Santos film industry not only focuses on film production, but also actively promotes the dissemination and exchange of film culture. The Santos Film Festival, held annually, is one of the most important film events in the region. The festival showcases excellent films from all over the world, covering various genres such as feature films, documentaries, and animations, providing audiences with a rich viewing experience.

During the festival, various film workshops, lectures and seminars, as well as industry exchange activities and training courses, will also be held, inviting well-known filmmakers at home and abroad to share their creative experience and experience, promote the exchange and learning of film culture, and promote the innovation and development momentum of the industry.

Santos is home to numerous cultural institutions and arts venues, such as the Patricia Galvão Cultural Center and the Guarani Theater, which regularly host a variety of concerts, plays, and art exhibitions. These cultural activities not only provide a rich cultural experience for citizens and tourists, but also provide a platform for local artists and cultural workers to showcase their talents.

As a multicultural city, Santos has a rich cultural heritage and diverse forms of cultural expression. Various film activities incorporate local history, folklore and traditional culture, focusing on displaying and protecting cultural diversity and showing a rich and colorful cultural face, conveying the unique cultural charm of Santos to global audiences.

Santos Film Exchange Workshop

colliding with cultural tourism sparks and generating gratifying income

Santos’ film festivals are an important carrier of the combination of film and cultural tourism. The successful holding of the annual Santos Film Festival not only enhances Santos’ international visibility, but also brings huge economic benefits to the local tourism industry, realizes the city’s creative development Film activities make full use of special effects production technology to attract audiences and fans to experience the reproduction of old films in tourism. Through virtual reality (VR) technology and augmented reality (AR) technology, tourists can experience the scenes of movie filming locations in the digital world, increasing the fun and interactivity of tourism. In addition, digital means and media have also helped Santos achieve remarkable achievements in the fields of film special effects, animation production, virtual reality, etc., which has greatly improved the efficiency of film production and communication and the visual effects and viewing experience of films. The publicity and promotion of films are also more convenient, and it is easy to achieve an “explosive” publicity effect.

The Santos Municipality and related businesses have also launched a range of digital tourism products and services. For example, a digital map and guide APP of movie filming locations have been developed to facilitate tourists to understand and explore movie shooting locations. The virtual tour and interactive experience of the filming locations added to the sense of participation and experience of visitors.

Santos city streets

A novel experience for film tourism

Many movies and TV series were filmed in Santos, attracting a large number of fans and tourists to visit the filming locations. Film tourism has gradually emerged as an important part of Santos’ tourism industry.

The rise of film tourism has not only brought direct economic benefits to Santos, but also enhanced the city’s cultural influence. Fans come to visit their favorite movie scenes, take “check-in photos”, and even reenact classic clips from movies. Not only can you relive classic movie scenes, but you can also gain an insight into the history, culture and natural scenery of Santos. To this end, the Santos Municipal Government and the tourism department have launched a series of film tourism routes and theme tours, as well as supporting facilities and services, to facilitate tourists to explore film locations and cultural attractions and give full play to the cultural charm of film filming locations. For example, open themed restaurants and souvenir shops near the filming location to launch special products and services related to the film to meet the diverse needs of tourists; Visitors can take a “movie tour” to visit the filming locations of famous films and learn about the stories and production processes behind these films.

Practical inheritance: inclusive and diverse film education and community

Integrate film literacy into education

Santos’ achievements in the film industry are inseparable from the support of education. Santos’ film education system is well-established, providing students with a rich curriculum in film and art, and guaranteeing systematic learning and practical opportunities. For example, the film and television production major set up by Santos University has cultivated a large number of outstanding film talents.

Additionally, Santos actively promotes community education and public engagement. Cultural institutions and non-profit organizations in the city regularly hold various art workshops and training courses open to citizens of all ages and backgrounds. These activities not only improve the cultural literacy of citizens, but also cultivate more reserve talents for the film and cultural industries. Cultural venues often host film screenings, art exhibitions, and concerts, attracting large audiences and participants.

Film industry park

Community Engagement and Social Inclusion

Santos focuses on community participation and inclusion, and promotes the inclusive and harmonious development of society through the art form of film. Various community film screenings and cultural activities have significantly improved the cultural literacy and sense of participation of community residents. For example, the annual community film salon invites community residents to participate in film screenings and discussions, enhancing the cultural atmosphere and cohesion of the community.

At the same time, Santos also reflects and speaks out about social issues through film creation. For example, many films set in Santos focus on and reflect the development of the city and humanistic care, promoting social thinking and action.

　International exchange and cooperation and cultural diversity protection

As the United Nations “Capital of Cinema”, Santos is committed to establishing close cooperation and exchange relations with other film cities around the world. By participating in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, Santos focuses on open exchanges, sharing experiences, exchanging technologies, and jointly promoting the development of the film industry with film cities around the world. Through cooperation with international film production companies and professional teams, Santos is able to introduce advanced film production technology and management experience to enhance the competitiveness of the local film industry. At the same time, international cooperation and exchanges also provide more opportunities for Santos’ film talents to learn and develop, promoting the growth and development of local film talents.

View of the city harbor of Santos

epilogue

From the development of the film industry, to the richness of cultural activities, to the integration of multiculturalism and the support of education and training, it is these profound cultural heritages that Santos has shown its unique charm and unlimited potential.

In the future, Santos will continue to promote the international development of the city through the deep integration of film and culture, highlight its unique position in the global cultural field, and provide valuable experience and inspiration for other cities. Santos, the city of images in South America, will undoubtedly be more brilliant, bloom more brilliantly on the stage of global film culture, and continue to write its own legend.

References: UNESCO Event, santos.sp.gov, storyproductions.com/filming-in-santos, citiesoffilm.org/santos/

Source: International Center for Creativity and Sustainability
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