Camila Agustini, who co-penned the 2024 award-winning Brazilian film “Manas,” and Elton de Almeida, a writer on early Netflix Brazil hits “Samantha!” and “Lov3,” have joined the writing team of “Diamonds Are Forever” (“Diamante, O Bailarina”), about a young gay man who trains as a boxer by day and performs as a drag queen by night.
Written and directed by Pedro Jorge, whose credits include the Globoplay series “The Day My Life Changed,” “Diamonds Are Forever” follows Emilio, a 24-year-old gay man also known as the drag queen Sahara Diamante. When he discovers his unknown father Cezão is still alive, Emilio seeks him out and joins his boxing gym without revealing his identity. Recognizing Emilio’s talent for the sport, the conservative and homophobic Cezão agrees to train him after his top fighter is injured. Despite conflict, boxing brings them closer.
The film, produced by Heverton Lima of Paideia Filmes (“My Body is Political”), was highlighted by Variety at the 2025 Guadalajara Co-Production Meetings, where it won two prizes. It was also recognized at Brasil CineMundi with an invitation to this year’s Málaga Festival Fund and Co-Production Event (MAFF).
“‘Diamonds Are Forever’ explores masculinity, desire, and identity through the journey of a young man seeking recognition from his father,” said Jorge. “The film brings together seemingly opposing worlds – boxing and drag performance – revealing their shared codes of strength and survival. By merging physical intensity with emotional vulnerability, the project builds a cinematic language deeply rooted in the body.”
The feature is based on the director’s 2016 short film of the same name, which screened at more than 70 national and international festivals, winning 25 awards, including best film and the Canal Brasil Award at the Recife Cinema Festival (Cine PE).
Bolstering the project are the additions of fellow screenwriters Agustini and de Almeida. “Manas,” co-written by Augustini and executive produced by Walter Salles, the Dardenne brothers and Sean Penn, made a run at scoring Brazil’s submission for this year’s international feature Oscar. Brooklyn-based KimStim released the film Stateside.
In Malaga, the producers aims to expand the film’s international co-production structure. “Diamonds Are Forever” is currently set up as a Brazil-Chile-Uruguay co-production, with approximately 45% of the budget secured. Paideia Filmes is looking to engage European co-producers and advance discussions with international sales agents and distributors to complete financing.
English (US) ·