Gabe Klinger returns to his roots with Isabel, his second fiction feature, which will world‑premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. The project marks his first Brazilian shoot in a decade and ties his current work to a homeland that helped launch his career.
The story centers on Isabel, a 50‑something sommelier whose dream is to open her own wine bar in São Paulo. Marina Person stars as the title character; she brings a blend of screen presence and writerly involvement, sharing credit on shaping the role and the script.
Filming was captured on 16mm and developed in a London lab to mirror the craft behind natural wines. Klinger’s reference points include Rohmer’s The Green Ray for a naturalistic tone and the Brazilian classic São Paulo, Incorporated for a sense of place.
Returning to Brazil after years in Chicago, Klinger speaks of reestablishing his artistic footing and the pull Berlin has for him. He recalls meeting producer Rodrigo Teixeira decades ago on the New York indie scene and credits Teixeira with a hands‑off approach that gave the director room to steer the project. The pair share a belief in authorship, with Teixeira drawing a parallel to past collaborations that prioritized the director’s final say.
The film is produced by RT Features and Urban Factory, with Urban Sales handling international sales. Isabel marks a personal and professional homecoming for Klinger and a new chapter in his career, one that binds Brazil and Berlin in a single cinematic moment.
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