Don't like soccer? Cheer up, here's a film festival
Published: 05 Jan. 2003, 23:36
In an event high on culture and low on World Cup hysteria, the Portuguese Cultural Center and the Korean Association of Cinemateques are hosting the second Portuguese Contemporary Film Festival. The event began on Thursday and will continue through Sunday evening at the Artsonje Center in downtown Seoul.
The feature film is directed by Portugal's most renowned and oldest director, Manoel de Oliveira, 93. His 2000 production, "Word and Utopia" (Palavra and Utopia), tells the true story of a 17th century Jesuit priest as he stands before the Inquisition. It is one of 13 films on tap for the event.
The festival will focus on short movies and animated films, none of which address Portugal's soccer legacy. Fewer and shorter movies made this year's event three days shorter than last year's, but the films are no less gripping. "This festival is concerned with quality over quantity," Mr. Moura said.
Both English and Korean subtitles accompany each film, which emphasize dialogue over action. For more information, contact the ArtSonje Center at 02-733-8945.
FRIDAY
3:30 p.m. "Glory" (Gloria), directed by Manuela Viegas, 1999. 110 minutes.
A 12 year-old boy falls in love with his neighbor, Gloria.
5:30 p.m. "Glory"
7:30 p.m. "Inferno," directed by Joaquim Leitao, 1999. 120 minutes.
Angolan War veterans are reunited at a country restaurant.
SATURDAY
5:30 p.m. SHORT FILMS:
"The Night" (A Noite), directed by Regina Pessoa, 1999. 7 minutes. An animated film about a child, her mother and the dark loneliness they feel.
"The Suspect" (A Suspeita) directed by Jose Miguel Ribeiro, 2000. 26 minutes. Four people, one a potential murderer, share a train compartment.
"Story of the Cat and the Moon" (Estavia do Gato e da Lua), directed by Pedro Sarrazina, 1995. 6 minutes. Animated love story about a cat charmed by the moon.
"Minus Nine" (Menos Nove), directed by Rita Nunes, 1997. 12 minutes. A series of murderers explain why and how they kill.
"Happy Birthday" (Parabens!), directed by Joao Pedro Rodrigues, 1997. 15 minutes. A man wakes up hungover on his 30th birthday.
"Stowaway" (Clandestino), directed by Abi Feijo, 2000. 10 minutes. Animated film about a clandestine arrival to a new country.
7:30 p.m. "Word and Utopia" (Palavra e Utopia) directed by Oliviera, 2000. 135 minutes. A Jesuit priest stands before the Inquisition.
SUNDAY
5:30 p.m. "Inferno"
7:30 p.m. SHORT FILMS:
"Breathe Underwater" (Respirar Debaxio D'agua), directed by Antonio Ferreira, 2000. 45 minutes. Teenagers skip class to go swimming at a river. One, Pedro, falls in love with a girl there, but his jealous friend starts trouble.
"Between Ourselves" (Entre Nos), directed by Margarida Cardoso, 1999, 20 minutes. A boy must stand up to his father, who mistreats his immigrant staff.
"Meanwhile" (Entretanto), directed by Miguel Gomes, 1999. 25 minutes. A story about adolescence and the gap separating reality from fantasy.
"Red River" (Rio Vermelho), directed by Raquel Freire, 1999. 16 minutes. A pregnant woman swims a river to give birth, helped by a water goddess.
by Daniela SantaMaria
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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