The selection of films is relatively diverse, with no singular consistent theme, prompting several reflections, according to Jorge Paulus Bruno, president of the Cine-Clube da Ilha Terceira. He mentioned, “We have named this showcase of contemporary Portuguese cinema this year as: five films, five reflections.”
For a decade, the Cine-Clube da Ilha Terceira has brought some of the latest national films to Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island, many of which have been awarded at international festivals, films that otherwise would not be shown on the island.
Jorge Paulus Bruno emphasized, “Contemporary Portuguese cinema continues to win awards at international festivals, especially European ones, because it is cinema of quality. We have a very appreciable portfolio of Portuguese directors making good films.”
The initial objective of the Cine-Clube da Ilha Terceira was to create an international film festival, featuring competitions about the sea, islands, travels, and adventures.
In ten years, funding to implement the project hasn’t been secured, but Jorge Bruno assured the idea has not been abandoned.
The president stated that the Cine Atlântico is now a “consolidated project” with a “loyal audience” and will continue regardless of whether the international festival takes place or not.
Throughout the year, the cine-club presents three “alternative films” per month on Sundays, as part of the ‘Cinema of My Life’ series.
Bruno noted, “We already have a regular audience, usually the same people, but given the population of the island, it’s already a considerable turnout, especially compared to other cine-clubs in different cities across the country.”
Films are shown at the Sociedade Filarmónica de Instrução e Recreio dos Artistas cinema hall, which has left a lasting impact on generations in Terceira Island and was reopened with the reactivation of the cine-club.
“We brought life back to the cinema hall, making substantial investments in equipment, supported by the Angra do Heroísmo City Council, providing good screening conditions that were previously unavailable,” recalled Jorge Bruno.
The 10th edition of Cine Atlântico begins on Friday with ‘On Falling’ by Laura Carreira, which won the Directing Award at the San Sebastián Festival 2024 (Spain) and the Debut Feature Competition at the 68th London Film Festival, UK.
Saturday will feature a double session with ‘Sonhar com Leões’ by Paulo Marinou-Blanco, the opening film at the Tallinn Black Nights Critical Choices Competition in Estonia, and ‘Lavagante’ by Mário Barroso, paying tribute to José Cardoso Pires and António-Pedro Vasconcelos.
The showcase concludes on Sunday with ‘Portugueses’ by Vicente Alves do Ó, a musical recreating a moment before April 25th, 1974, and ‘A Vida Luminosa’ by João Rosas, a “bittersweet comedy about the early twenties when everything is still anticipated from life.”
The Cine Atlântico programmer, José Vieira Mendes, stated that the film selection serves as “a tribute to the plurality of Portuguese cinema’s languages, its ability to view the past and present without clichés or formulas, inviting us to laugh, think, cry, or simply pause to listen.”
The promotional text from Cine Atlântico, signed by the programmer, reads, “Between precarious workers, women on the brink of death, young people reinventing themselves, and the ghosts of dictatorship, this programming is an invitation to empathy and reflection.”
