In an unexpected creative choice, Sean Baker is preparing to follow his Oscar-winning film Anora with a project that pays tribute to the notorious Italian sex comedies of the 1960s and ’70s. This upcoming Sean Baker new film aims to capture the provocative humor and risqué style of those lesser-respected genres, with production tentatively scheduled to begin in 2026. The film will reportedly star Vera Gemma, daughter of the legendary Giuliano Gemma, fueling anticipation among cinephiles familiar with Italian cinema’s past.
Miguel Gomes Advances Ambitious Historical Adaptation
Miguel Gomes is set to embark on shooting Selvajaria (Savagery), a passion project adapting Euclides da Cunha’s Rebellion in the Backlands, chronicling the 1897 conflict between Brazil’s early Republic army and native inhabitants in Canudos. After years of preparation, production started as planned in early 2026 under the direction of cinematographer Rui Poças, who announced the commencement via Instagram. Gomes has acknowledged the challenges of recreating a war-torn village for the film, describing it as
“a tough film to do, requiring lots of construction of a village damaged by war.”
Emerging Projects Highlight Diverse Global Filmmaking Voices
A recent Variety update reveals several new films receiving funding, signaling fresh creative momentum worldwide. Among them are Hlynur Pálmason’s latest work On Land and Sea, Véréna Paravel’s Cosmofonia, Laura Citarella’s Las Italianas, Corneliu Porumboiu’s The Costume, and Eduardo Williams’ forthcoming The Human Purge, which follows his prior works The Human Surge and The Human Surge 3. These selections showcase a range of artistic styles and narratives, emphasizing the continued vitality of international cinema despite industry challenges.
Impact and Future Expectations in Contemporary Film
Sean Baker’s decision to explore ’70s Italian sex comedies not only signals his versatility but also shines a light on a provocative and largely overlooked cinematic era. Meanwhile, Miguel Gomes’s historical adaptation underlines a dedication to complex storytelling and meticulous production design. Together with emerging projects from acclaimed filmmakers like Véréna Paravel and Eduardo Williams, these works contribute to a dynamic film landscape that embraces bold themes and diverse perspectives. As these films move closer to release, cinephiles and critics alike await how they will reshape or reaffirm genre conventions and cultural memory.
“a tough film to do, requiring lots of construction of a village damaged by war.” ?Miguel Gomes, filmmaker
Miguel Gomes’s SELVAJARA, his film about a civil war in Brazil in 1897, long delayed due to the pandemic, is finally in production. pic.twitter.com/ojTccB5E4n
— Ryan Swen/孫天行/Sun Tien-hsing (@swen_ryan) February 14, 2026
