“The Most Important Thing in This Business Is the Films”: Marc Ferrez&Filhos, Exclusive Agent of Pathé Frères and Film Distribution Pioneer in Brazil (1907–1908)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the first two years of operation of Marc Ferrez & Filhos (Marc Ferrez & Sons), a pioneer of film distribution in Brazil. As exclusive representative of French Pathé Frères in the country, the company oversaw the expansion of permanent movie theaters in Rio de Janeiro starting in 1907, created a national distribution network, and shaped the budding film market in Brazil. The paper shows that the increase in domestic film production after 1908, the so-called belle époque of Brazilian cinema, resulted from Marc Ferrez & Filhos' dominance in programming at the best movie theaters in the capital of Brazil using their own original and exclusive representation model.