As a film critic with a deep appreciation for stories that resonate on a personal level, I found myself deeply moved by the tales of resilience and survival showcased at this year’s Huelva Film Festival. Among these stories, one that particularly stood out was the journey of a Costa Rican director, Antonella Sudasassi Furniss, who through her film “Memories of a Burning Body,” gave voice to the untold stories of her grandmothers.
At Spain’s Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival, held in a Southern Spanish city and concluding last Saturday, two films by Brazilian directors took home top honors: “Portrait of a Certain Orient” by Marcelo Gomes and “Manas” by Marianne Brennand. These films triumphed across the three most prestigious categories.
With Marcelo Caetano winning his fourth out of seven competition titles, Huelva’s event further solidified the resurgence of Brazilian cinema. This revival is evident in Karim Aïnouz, who managed to get two films into Cannes Main Competition over the past two years – “Firebrand” and “Motel Destino” – and Walter Salles’ return to form with “I’m Still Here,” which earned critical acclaim and buzz for potential Oscar nominations, as reported in publications like EbMaster and others.
“Portrait of a Certain Orient,” Marcelo Gomes, Brazil, Italy: Golden Columbus, Best Picture
The film “Portrait,” shot in black-and-white and with a 4:3 aspect ratio, won Huelva’s Best Picture Golden Columbus. It delicately narrates a sorrowful fable about the devastating effects of bigotry and patriarchy. Set in the 1940s, the story follows Emir, a Lebanese Catholic sailing to Brazil, who becomes anxious as his sister Emilie expresses interest in Omar, an attractive Muslim immigrant.
As the trio arrive at the bustling Amazon port city of Manaus, Emilie finds herself smitten with Omar and contemplates marriage. However, Emir takes drastic action, driven by sorrowful revenge.
The film “Portrait” was sold by O2 Play and produced by Mariana Ferraz at Matizar Filmes in Rio de Janeiro, in collaboration with Kavac Film from Italy and several Brazilian production companies including Muiraquitã Filmes, Misti Filmes, Globo Filmes. This movie takes Gomes back to the style he used in his debut feature “Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures”, which was a standout at Cannes 2005’s Un Certain Regard section, where the focus is on depicting Brazil from an outsider’s perspective.
As a passionate cinephile, I strive to convey in my movies that the most effective method for dismantling biases is by adopting perspectives other than our own, offering audiences a glimpse into diverse worlds.
“Manas,” Marianna Brennand, Brazil, Portugal: Silver Columbus, Special Jury Prize, Audience Award
A significant portion of the recent buzz surrounding Brazilian cinema is due to a new wave of young female directors who have emerged, such as Flávia Neves (“Fogaréu”), Iuli Gerbase (“The Pink Cloud”), Thais Fujinaga (“The Joy of Things”), and Carolina Markowicz (“Charcoal,” “Toll”).
Based on her critically acclaimed debut film “Manas,” which received both the Huelva Special Jury Prize and the Audience Award, Marianne Brennand has now been recognized as part of this esteemed group.
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, nestled along the Tajapuru River and on Marajó island, I was meticulously chronicled for over a decade by Brennand, utilizing a documentary approach with mobile cinematography and keen focus on details. This narrative revolves around Marielle, a 13-year-old girl who endures sexual abuse at the hands of her father, either at home or during hunting trips. Desperate to break free from her oppressive surroundings, she finds herself ensnared in a prostitution network run on river boats, clinging to the hope that it might serve as an escape route. The tension at my wooden abode continues to escalate as days go by.
At the Venice Days in September, the film “Manas” was awarded Best Director. This production is a collaboration between Brazil’s Inquietude, Globo Filmes, Canal Brasil, Pródigo, and Portugal’s Fado Filmes. Moreover, it also received assistance from Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, as well as Walter Salles in the role of associate producers. According to Walter Salles, the story is both experiential and emotionally impactful.
“Memories of a Burning Body,” Antonella Sudasassi Furniss, Costa Rica, Spain: Best Director
In another film scene set in Costa Rica titled “Memories of a Burning Body,” directed by Antonella Sudasassi Furniss, won the Best Director award at the Huelva Film Festival. This accolade complements its previous achievement, the Berlinale 2024 Panorama Audience Award.
The film, titled “Memories,” speaks through a 71-year-old character who embodies the recollections of three women. In this movie, she openly discusses her life and yearnings, stating, “This is the conversation I wish I could have had with my grandmothers.” This statement is presented in a title before the film starts. Sales for both “Memories” and “Manas” are managed by Bendita Film Sales.
Other Competition Awards, Luisa Huertas, Manuel Raposo, Ricardo Teodoro
At the performer awards, Mexican actress Luisa Huertas was awarded best actress for her powerful portrayal in Pierre-Saint Martin’s Guadalajara-winning film “We Shall Not Be Moved”. In this movie, she played an elderly woman who remained determined to avenge her brother’s death during the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre. The production companies for this film were Varios Lobos, Los de Abajo Cine, and 1987 Films.
Manuel Raposo from the Dominican Republic, known as “Rafaela,” won the acting award for his powerful portrayal of a crack addict in “Bionico’s Bachata.” This film offers a wild, vibrant, occasionally humorous depiction of his struggle to reform himself and gather funds before his fiancée comes back from rehab. Morales explained to EbMaster that the film tackles a serious subject but does so through absurdity and dark comedy, which is characteristic of our culture. “Bachata” received the 2024 South by Southwest Audience Award in 2024.
In a stunning culmination of Brazil’s four-win streak, Ricardo Teodoro clinched the award for Best Supporting Actor. His captivating portrayal of Ronaldo, an older São Paulo gay escort and drug dealer, was particularly noteworthy. This character takes in the protagonist Wellington and instructs him on the business side of things, but sadly, fails to fill the void that Wellington yearns for as a father figure.
The Acento Prize for Best Spanish Direction is for “May I Speak to the Enemy?”; the Juan Ramón Jiménez Award for Andalusian Talent goes to “Fandango
Title for Filmax’s banner at Ventana Sur next week: “Can I Talk to the Adversary?” This intriguing title narrates the roots of renowned Spanish stand-up comedian Miguel Gila’s absurd humor, revealing that a significant portion of his wit stems from his experiences during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). During this time, he endured battles, famine, and an unsuccessful execution by a tipsy firing squad.
One of his most renowned sketches was sparked by his personal experiences. In this sketch, he humorously proposes a peace talk over the phone with the adversary, suggesting that if an attack must occur on a Sunday, could it possibly take place post-soccer games?
The film ‘May I Speak to the Enemy?’ is a production of Pecado Films, known for Victor Erice’s ‘Close Your Eyes,’ as well as Arcadia Motion Pictures, recognized for their work on the Oscar-nominated short ‘Robot Dreams’ and Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s ‘The Beasts.’
The production named ‘Fandango’ won the Andalusian Talent Award by skillfully combining contemporary performances with historic footage, thereby honoring the rich tradition of Huelva’s flamenco fandango.
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2024-11-25 16:19