In a playful promotional stunt, Cine Belas Artes in São Paulo will give half-price tickets to those attending the preview screening of the Spanish film 'Sirât' on February 20, provided they wear flip-flops or sandals. The promotional ticket price is set at R$ 20, compared to the full ticket price of R$ 40. This initiative appears to be a humorous reaction to recent remarks made by the film's director, Oliver Laxe, which stirred controversy in Brazil.

Director Oliver Laxe recently sparked backlash after joking that if Brazilians were to nominate a shoe for the Oscars, everyone would vote for it due to the supposedly ultranationalist tendencies of Brazilian Academy members. This comment was made during an interview on the talk show 'La Revuelta' and drew criticism for seemingly undermining the role of Brazilian artists in the Oscars. Following the backlash, Laxe attempted to clarify his remarks, illustrating the delicate relationship between humor and cultural sensitivities, especially in a diverse and nationalistic context like Brazil's.

The decision to tie the discount promotion to the director's controversial comments serves both as a marketing strategy and as a commentary on the ongoing discourse about national pride and identity in cinema. The film's release on February 26 will be closely watched not only for cinematic quality but also for the implications of Laxe's remarks and how they resonate within Brazilian society, where cultural discussions are often intertwined with considerations of nationalism and representation in global platforms like the Oscars.