Carlos Saldanha’s Brazilian Survival Feature ‘100 Days’ to Start Filming July 15: Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu Joins Cast (EXCLUSIVE)

“100 Days,” a buzzy Brazilian project Variety first unveiled in 2021, will begin shooting next month, led by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Carlos Saldanha.

Up-and-comer Filipe Bragança (“Dom,” “Orphans of a Nation”) will topline the film’s cast, joined by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (“Call My Agent,” “Two Brothers”), who will also produce.

“100 Days” is billed as an adventure drama for family audiences. It will tell the extraordinary but true story of Brazilian Amyr Klink, who, in 1984, at the age of 29, became the first person to cross the South Atlantic in a rowing boat after many had died in the attempt.

Said Saldanha, “I’m so excited to be able to tell this incredible story about this Brazilian hero to the world.  I’m so happy to have this amazing cast, both Brazilian and international. Filipe Bragança as Amyr and Philippine, as the mother of Amyr, will bring the perfect depth and heart to this incredible true story.”

Echoing a similar sentiment, Leroy-Beaulieu added, “‘100 Days’ is a fascinating story that touched me deeply because it talks about wild dreams, courage, belief, and the unwavering support of a mother which I’m so honored to play.”

Over the past two decades, Saldanha has directed and co-directed numerous big-name animated hits, including “Ice Age,” Oscar-winner “Rio” and Oscar nominee “Ferdinand.” When “100 Days” was first announced, it was planned to be Saldanha’s live-action feature debut. However, since then, the director was recruited to helm the live-action adaptation “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” which will debut in theaters on Aug. 2 of this year.

Production of “100 Days” is being led by Ventre Studio and Disney in Brazil, who are joined by O2 Filmes in Brazil, MARZ in Canada and Total Post in Finland. The screenplay was penned by Elena Soarez and Thais Tavares. Disney will handle the film’s release in Latin America.

“It’s an honor to be part of the team that is adapting such a remarkable did to the big screen,” said Ventre producer João Queiroz. “I grew up in Paraty and reread the book various times; it was part of my childhood and life. We intend to make a grandiose film that will bring Amyr Klink’s beautiful adventure to audiences all over the globe.”

Described by its producers as one of the largest Brazilian productions ever, “100 Days” will feature state-of-the-art VFX work done by Finnish co-producer and post-production house Total Post.

“We immediately felt that this story about being immersed in and at the mercy of nature would resonate in the Nordic countries,” explained associate producers Roosa Toivonen and Petri Kemppinen at Good Hand Production. “We are very happy and proud to collaborate with Brazil’s Ventre Studio.”