‘Pictures of Ghosts’ Director Says His Brazilian Documentary Came Together in a ‘Natural and Progressive Way’

Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “Pictures of Ghosts” — Brazil’s selection for the Best International Feature Film category as well as an eligible film for the Best Documentary Feature lineup — addresses the popular topic of cinephilia at a young age through a largely nonfiction approach.

The “Aquarius” and “Bacurau” director draws upon his family upbringing and intimate view of his beloved Recife, Brazil, to take us through a panoramic view of the city’s downtown cinematic landscape, utilizing years of captured footage on a handheld camera to show the slow recession of the brick-and-mortar moviehouse as a central congregation spot.

The filmmaker spoke to TheWrap about his love for the cinema, past and present, and why it’s worth preserving.