Oh, how I miss it!
Although the choice of the host hotel for the Brasília Film Festival is made through a bidding process, guests have become attached to the Hotel Nacional. They feel that the Kubitschek Hotel doesn't have the same charm, even though it's hosting the event for the second time and has good facilities.
Natalia Emerich_Brasília 247 – Daily, after the screenings of the competitive section of the 44th Brasília Film Festival, artists and guests gather to socialize and discuss the films at the Kubitschek Plaza Hotel. The place has good infrastructure and comfort, but it displeases those who have become attached to the atmosphere of the Hotel Nacional, which hosted glorious editions of the festival and was the setting for unforgettable scenes, such as actress Leila Diniz diving naked into the pool. For some, although it is part of the common adjustments for events of this size, changing venues is a cold shower.
"It's extremely unpleasant not to be at the National Film Festival," complains Sara Silveira, a filmmaker from Rio Grande do Sul, who is competing in this edition with the feature film Trabalhar Cansa (Working is Tiring). For her, the Kubitschek Hotel doesn't allow for adequate interaction between festival participants. "From midnight onwards, the hotel starts closing and services are canceled; we're practically kicked out." She says that meeting after the screenings and spending hours talking about the productions and cinema is a tradition. "The infrastructure is good, but it doesn't create the involvement that the guests have with the festival."
The Kubitschek poolside bar is open from 15 PM to midnight. However, during the festival, the management assures that the bar, as well as other restaurants, will remain open until at least 2 AM. "We are very flexible with the event's attendees," says Salete Soares, commercial manager of the Kubitschek. She says that service usually extends as long as there are customers. No complaints have been made to the hotel so far, according to the manager. "I believe the services are meeting the expectations of both the organizers and the guests," says Salete.
The selection of the event's host hotel is done through a bidding process conducted by the Secretary of Culture. According to one of the festival organizers, Graça Coutinho, this is the third time in the last 12 years that the Kubitschek Hotel has replaced the Nacional Hotel. The change occurred in 2004, 2010, and 2011. "The Hotel Nacional wanted to receive payment in advance, but there was no agreement with the government to finalize a suitable proposal," explains Graça. Selection criteria include the best price and the most viable payment method.
For filmmaker and journalist Sérgio Moriconi, a member of the jury, the Hotel Nacional was the setting for legendary editions of the festival, such as those that took place in the 60s and 70s. Memories and part of the event's history are there. "It's an enchanting and nostalgic place," he says. Fellow filmmaker and juror Otto Guerra agrees. "The place has existed since the construction of Brasília, it's charming and reflects the city's character," he summarizes.
The biggest complaint concerns the poolside common area. Anyone who has attended a seminar, debate, workshop, or chat at the Hotel Nacional knows that it was possible to find artists, critics, and supporters around the water. Rooms, auditoriums, and a bar are all on the same floor. At the Kubitschek, the meeting point is the elevator. Each area is on a different floor, which makes interaction difficult. "The Nacional has an artistic vein that the Kubitschek doesn't, it's regrettable," Sara laments.
Logistics
At the same time, the Kubitschek venue has advantages that are recognized even by those who complain. "The structure is newer and the common area is also interesting," says Moriconi. In addition to diverse spaces, the parking lot accommodates more cars and facilitates access. "The festival is like a film, it changes as time passes," says Otto, who considers the changes natural, necessary and welcome, despite the nostalgia.
According to Graça Coutinho, people get hung up on folkloric details. "I've had cases of guests who arrived at the airport, didn't find any festival representatives, and took a taxi straight to the Hotel Nacional," she reveals. In practice, she assures that the infrastructure and comfort of the Kubitschek perfectly meet the event's needs.