O cinema como ferramenta de valorização cultural no Brasil: uma análise do papel do setor audiovisual na promoção da identidade cultural nacional (2019-2024)

Abstract

Cinema represents one of the key manifestations of the creative economy and a vital tool for constructing, preserving, and disseminating the cultural identity of peoples. In Brazil—a country characterized by vast ethnic, regional, and sociocultural diversity—audiovisual production plays a strategic role by representing narratives, memories, heritage, and ways of life that help strengthen a sense of belonging and foster an appreciation for national plurality. Despite recent strides in the Brazilian film industry, challenges persist regarding the regional distribution of movie theaters, public access to audiovisual content, and the geographic concentration of public investment in the sector. Against this backdrop, this study aims to analyze the extent to which Brazilian cinema contributed to valuing national cultural identity between 2019 and 2024, examining indicators related to production, financing, distribution, and access across the country's various regions. To this end, a descriptive documentary study was conducted, drawing on secondary data from the National Cinema Agency (ANCINE), the Brazilian Cinema and Audiovisual Observatory (OCA), the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the Audiovisual Sector Fund (FSA), and the European Audiovisual Observatory. The results reveal a significant recovery of the audiovisual sector following the COVID-19 pandemic, reflected in increased domestic production, a larger share of the box office for Brazilian films, and higher levels of public investment. However, significant territorial inequalities remain regarding cinema infrastructure — particularly in the North Region — limiting democratic access to cultural goods and curtailing cinema's potential to foster regional identities. The study concludes that strengthening Brazilian cinema depends not only on expanding audiovisual production but also on implementing public policies that promote the decentralization of investment, democratize access to movie theaters, and incentivize regional production.