Picture Tree International has acquired worldwide sales rights, excluding Uruguay, for Butchers (Matarifes), the second feature from Uruguayan directors Rafael and Bernardo Antonaccio. The deal positions the historical thriller for its market debut at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin this month.
A Story Rooted in Uruguayan History
Set against the backdrop of Uruguay’s 1970s meat ban, the film follows José, a Galician immigrant, and his daughter Rosita as they establish a clandestine slaughterhouse to survive. Their small operation grows into a citywide black market, drawing them into conflict with corrupt authorities, rival butchers, and shifting political forces. The narrative explores themes of survival, ambition, and morality, with the Antonaccio brothers describing the illicit meat trade of that era as “almost dystopian despite being real.”
Cast and Production
The film stars Esteban Bigliardi (Society of Snow) alongside emerging talents Micaela del Pino and Salvador Gaetan. Produced by Monarca Films in Uruguay, the project is backed by Nadador Cine, La Mayor Cine, Blurr Stories (Spain/Argentina), and Hain Cine (Argentina). Producers include Valentina Baracco, Eugenia Olascuaga, Fernanda Perez, Jonathan Monroig, Papu Curotto, and Santiago Podestá. Currently in post-production, Butchers is expected to roll out across festivals and theaters in summer–fall 2026.
Antonaccio Brothers’ Rising Profile
The Antonaccio brothers previously gained international recognition with their debut thriller In the Quarry (En el Pozo), which premiered at Sitges and screened across Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia. Their bold visual style and focus on character-driven narratives have marked them as emerging voices in Latin American cinema.
Picture Tree International’s Vision
Andreas Rothbauer, Managing Partner at Picture Tree International, praised the film as “a gripping, character-driven historical thriller with strong crossover appeal, grounded in true events and handled with a bold visual approach.” With Butchers, the company aims to build on the Antonaccio brothers’ growing reputation and bring a little-explored chapter of Uruguayan history to global audiences.
