As a movie connoisseur with a soft spot for stories that resonate deeply, I am utterly captivated by Denise Fernandes’ debut feature “Hanami.” Having grown up in Europe myself and being of diverse heritage, I find a profound connection to her journey as a filmmaker. Born to parents from Cape Verde and raised in Switzerland, she shares an understanding of the complexities of identity that many of us who straddle two worlds can relate to.
Denise Fernandes’ first feature film, “Hanami,” will be distributed internationally by MoreThan Films. This movie is set to premiere on the coming Wednesday in the Contemporary Film Directors section of the Locarno Film Festival.
The narrative “Hanami” unfolds on an isolated Cape Verde volcanic island, where many inhabitants yearn to depart. However, our protagonist, a young girl named Nana, is afflicted by an unusual illness and develops a fever. In search of treatment, she embarks on a journey that leads her to the base of a towering volcano. Here, she encounters a realm where the boundaries between dreams and reality become indistinct. As Nana matures into her teenage years, her mother unexpectedly resurfaces in her life once more.
Born in Lisbon to Cape Verdean parents, Fernandes spent her childhood in Switzerland. With more than a decade of experience as a filmmaker, she gained significant recognition with the release of “Nha Mila” in 2020. This film was showcased in competitions at festivals like Locarno and Uppsala, and it also received a nomination for the best short film at the Sophia Awards by the Portuguese Film Academy.
In my youth spent in Europe, I observed that our maps and globes frequently overlooked Cape Verde due to its diminutive size. To bring attention to this tiny but vibrant nation, I chose to make Cape Verde and its inhabitants the heart of my debut feature film.
Fernandes collaborated on the movie script alongside renowned Portuguese director Telmo Churro, who is best known for his 2022 film “Índia,” which was screened at festivals such as Thessaloniki and São Paulo and received a nomination for a Portuguese Golden Globe.
“Alina Film and O Som e a Fúria have created ‘Hanami’, while Ventura Film and RSI Radiotelevisione Svizzera are contributing as co-producers.”
Informing EbMaster, Queralt Pons Serra, our managing partner, commented, “The film ‘Hanami’ is exceptionally beautiful and cinematic. Newcomer Denise Fernandes skillfully expresses her artistic vision in this debut work, which unfolds a story in Cape Verde. Through her characters deeply connected to the land and breathtaking scenery, she explores themes of belonging, leaving and returning, and portrays how the environment around the protagonist functions as a nurturing mother figure by providing protection and sanctuary.”
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2024-08-08 10:46