Bildrausch Filmfest Basel 10, Catalogue 2021

A film like a still life – no, like an entire art gallery.
Every shot is a work of art, every moment is an eternity.
The film tells the story of the sailor Henrique and his
wife Beatriz, who, separated by the sea and united in
thought, share a life that gives rise to six children and –
at least in retrospect – seems perfect. We hear the voices
of those left behind, who give us a posthumous insight
into the relationship, the past and a world that is deeply
shaped by the supernatural power and beauty of nature
as well as by far too premature death – both that of
Beatriz, but also that of the wife of her eldest son Jacinto,
the director's mother. In her feature debut, the Portuguese
director Catarina Vasconcelos lets the love of her
grandparents come to life again with the help of her
father – albeit without betraying them. In fine, almost
magical arrangements from the intersection between
documentary and fiction, philosophy and poetry, an
intimate portrait arises of a family between then and
now, between memory and sadness, reality and fantasy,
whose virtuosity can not be fully explained, but
only marvelled at with open eyes. (pj)
· A Metamorfose dos Pássaros
(The Metamorphosis of Birds)
· Portugal, 2020
· 101 Min. Colour. DCP. PT/en
· Director, Screenplay: Catarina Vasconcelos
· Cinematography: Paulo Menezes
· Editing: Francisco Moreira
· Music: Madalena Palmeirim
· With Manuel Rosa, João Móra,
Ana Vasconcelos
· Producers: Pedro Fernandes Duarte,
Joana Gusmão, Catarina Vasconcelos
· Contact: Portugal Film, Lisbon,
www.portugalfilm.org
27
THU 17.6. 16:30
Stadtkino Basel
SUN 20.6. 12:15
Stadtkino Basel
A METAMORFOSE DOS PÁSSAROS