Gabriel Martins debuts new drama On Behalf of My Son in Toronto

The short version

• Director Gabriel Martins screened his new feature film, "On Behalf of My Son," in the Platform section of the Toronto Film Festival.[Variety]
• The drama centers on a mother whose bus driver son apparently committed suicide and caused a crash that killed dozens of passengers.[Variety]
• Produced by Filmes de Plástico for Netflix Brazil, the project faced financing hurdles after Martins' Oscar submission "Mars One" due to industry conditions and political instability under the Bolsonaro government.[Variety]
• The film will release in select Brazilian theaters on November 5 before streaming worldwide on Netflix on November 20.[Variety]

Key facts

• Gabriel Martins premiered his film “On Behalf of My Son” in the Platform section of the Toronto Film Festival.[Variety]
• The film follows a mother whose bus driver son apparently committed suicide and killed dozens of passengers in a crash.[Variety]
• “On Behalf of My Son” was produced by Filmes de Plástico for Netflix Brazil.[Variety]
• Gabriel Martins struggled to secure financing for his follow-up film after making “Mars One” due to the post-pandemic industry and political instability under the Bolsonaro government.[Variety]
• “On Behalf of My Son” is scheduled to debut in select Brazilian theaters on November 5 and launch globally on Netflix on November 20.[Variety]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• ‘On Behalf of My Son’ Director Gabriel Martins on Black Brazilian Representation in His Films: ‘It’s a Life Project To Me, Not Just Cinema’Variety metered