A new satirical adventure is heading to the Cannes market — and it’s bringing pirates, pink iguanas, and the Galápagos with it.
Jealous White Men, a globe-trotting tragicomedy led by Guslagie Malanda (Saint Omer), Isabél Zuaa (The Secret Agent), andCleo Diára (I Only Rest In The Storm), is the latest international feature to watch. The film is directed by Argentinian filmmaker Ivan Granovsky and will shoot later this year across Portugal, Brazil, Italy, and the Galápagos.
The story reimagines Charles Darwin’s iconic journey to the Galápagos through dueling perspectives — one from writer Jules Verne and the other from his often-overlooked wife, Honorine. The result? A satirical, offbeat adventure packed with discovery, chaos, and historical rebellion, all told through a sharply comedic lens.
Also starring in the ensemble cast are Chiara Mastroianni (Marcello Mio), Denis Podalydès (Sorry Angel), Jasmine Trinca (La Storia), and Agustina Muñoz (Ariel), with more casting still underway. Granovsky co-wrote the script with Mariana Ricardo (Grand Tour), and cinematography will be handled by Simone D’Arcangelo (The Settlers).
“Jealous White Men is about white megalomaniacs past and present,” Granovsky said in a statement. “Their epic ambition and childish restlessness fascinate me. Comedy comes alive through their glory-hungry transformations — too much energy for one body, too much story for one.”
The film is produced through a multi-national collaboration that includes Italy’s Ambar Film Company and Ring Film, France’s Dublin Films, Brazil’s Biônica Filmes, Portugal’s O Som e a Fúria, Argentina’s Frutacine, Germany’s Pandora, and Taiwan’s Volos Films. ZDF/Arte is also backing the project. International and U.S. sales (excluding France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Brazil) are being handled by Magnify.
“Jealous White Men is wild, funny, and flips the historical script in all the right ways,” said Austin Kennedy, Director of Sales at Magnify. “It’s a period film that doesn’t play by the rules — filled with bold visuals, epic landscapes, and a biting sense of humor.”
Granovsky, who previously directed The Territories — which premiered at Rotterdam and was later picked up by MUBI — is known for his bold, unconventional storytelling. His experience spans curating and producing films across Latin America and Europe, including roles at the Mar del Plata Co-Production Meetings and Mexico’s CATAPULTA Lab.