Ed Mort Explained

Ed Mort
Director:Alain Fresnot
Producer:
  • Dardo Toledo Barros
  • Alain Fresnot
  • Richard Pepin
  • Van Fresnot
  • Maria Ionescu
Starring:
Music:
Cinematography:
  • Pedro Farkas
Editing:
  • Alain Fresnot
  • Idê Lacreta
Distributor:RioFilme
Runtime:102 minutes
Country:Brazil
Language:Portuguese
Budget:$1.5 million

Ed Mort is a 1997 Brazilian detective comedy film, directed by Alain Fresnot. The film is an adaptation of the comic strip character of the same name, by Luís Fernando Veríssimo.

Premise

The film tells the adventures of private detective Ed Mort. He is hired by a mysterious woman to help find her husband, Silva, an expert in disguises.

Cast

Background

Ed Mort was created in 1979 and published in Brazilian newspaper strips during the 1980s, with text by Luís Fernando Veríssimo and illustration by Miguel Paiva (who also created Radical Chic and Gatão de Meia Idade). The strips were serialized and each complete story was released in compilation books between 1985 and 1990, starting with the book Ed Mort in Looking for Silva (1985).[1]

The script for the film adaptation was based on the story from Ed Mort in Looking for Silva. In the film, the private detective lives in São Paulo, instead of Rio de Janeiro like in the comics.

Music

Arrigo Barnabé's background score for the film was released in 1997 by Brazilian record label Rob Digital.[2]

Release and reception

Ed Mort premiered in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Curitiba during May 1997. In São Paulo, it was released to theaters on June 5, 1997.[3] HBO Brasil aired Ed Mort around the same time as its theatrical release, which caused some Brazilian theaters to boycott the film.[4] The deal with HBO Brasil came about after the company gave $100,000 worth of funding to help the film get completed.[4] In February 1998, Ed Mort was also shown at the Fantasporto Film Festival in Portugal.

Brazilian publication Agência Senado said in 1998 that the film "walks a fine line between humor and police drama."[5]

Notes and References

  1. Ed Mort, de Luís Fernando Veríssimo : un privé très "particulier". Richard. Roux. December 1, 2003. Cahiers d'études romanes. Revue du CAER. 9. 161–170. journals.openedition.org. 10.4000/etudesromanes.2994. free.
  2. Web site: Ed Mort - EP by Arrigo Barnabé on Apple Music. May 1, 1997. music.apple.com.
  3. Web site: UOL - Brasil Online - 'Ed Mort' estréia na sexta-feira em São Paulo 05/06/97 16h09. www1.folha.uol.com.br.
  4. Web site: Folha de S.Paulo - Polêmica: Cinemas boicotam estréia de "Ed Mort" - 24/05/97. www1-folha-uol-com-br.translate.goog.
  5. Web site: CULTURA AO MEIO-DIA TRAZ AS AVENTURAS DE ED MORT. Senado Federal.