Trails

Description

(Veredas, a.k.a. Paths). Monteiro’s feature-length debut journeys physically and historically through the times and legends of a countryside, in this case rural Portugal from the rocky north of Trás-Os-Montes to the arid plains of the Alentejo, two regions divided by not just landscape, but politics. “We conceived it as a political film,” recalls cinematographer Acácio de Almeida, “a dialogue between regional opposites.” “It reminds me of a story,” says one character, and indeed storytelling is Trails’ delight and focus, where one story immediately launches another. Centuries and times merge into one as we move from place to place: an enchanted Moorish princess here, an old shepherd singing a folk-song there; landowners complaining of communist demonstrators here, old women hopping on their knees in a mountain field there. Sailing ships, buried treasures, military crackdowns, woodcutters, lovers, donkeys, and priests: Monteiro reveals the legends, myths, and heart of his sometimes-beloved Portugal, and connects the dots among ancient fables, farmers’ songs, and modern cinema.— Jason Sanders

• Written by Monteiro, Maria Velho da Costa, Carlos d’Oliveira, José Gomes Ferreira. Photographed by Acácio de Almeida. With Manuela de Freitas, Luís de Sousa Costa, Francisco Domingues, Carmen Duarte. (116 mins, In Portuguese with English subtitles, Color, 35mm, From Lusomondo)

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http://bampfa.berkeley.edu/filmseries/

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