A Portuguese filmmaker wins more international awards.

The animated short film "Kali, the little vampire" was awarded in the Animation Film Festival in Hiroshima, in Japan. A short film by Regina Pessoa was shown in Annecy, IndieLisboa and had been awarded in Vila do Conde with the premium Canal Plus. The Portuguese filmmaker closes an animated trilogy about childhood, joining "The Night" (1999) and "Tragic Story with a happy ending" (2005), this being one of the most honored films ever in animated film in Portugal and has already been discussed under this heading of Portuguese cinema. This short film is a co-production between Portugal, France, Canada and Switzerland, has original music of the Young Gods and narration by actor Christopher Plummer in the English version and the director Fernando Lopes in the Portuguese version. "Kali, the little vampire," tells the story of a boy unlike the others, who dreams of finding a place in the sun. As the moon goes through different phases, he also has to face his fears and inner demons to ultimately find the passage to the light. One day he will disappear ... or maybe it's just another phase of change.

http://www.curtas.pt/agencia/

It's a road movie by Ivo Ferreira.

It is a journey through time that hardly is, only focusing on the hangover of the Carnation Revolution. The specter of that past is the motor of the narrative for Peter the actor Gonçalo Waddington, who inadvertently discovers some diaries that can shed some light on the mysterious disappearance of his father after the April 25th, 1974. It's a Portuguese road movie, a physical journey, but especially an inner one of the main character, searching for answer about his family and himself. I really enjoyed the photography; there are very beautiful images that are in memorable, especially the game of light and shadow. The work of the actors is another of the strengths of this drama, I highlight Waddington always permeated in this air of a rebel without a cause that fits perfectly in the film, Joana Seixas, Rita, his girlfriend and Adelaide Joao, Mrs. Agnes, grandmother, complete the trio that contribute decisively for a good time. I emphasize also the soundtrack and its excellent quality, although I have not been able to obtain complete information on this subject. The script deserves some attention, though creates the appropriate suspense. Overall it's a good exercise of Ivo Ferreira. Good movie!

It is a documentary portrait of the streets of a city that could be yours.

This documentary of Rui Simões brings me the memory of one of the most iconic songs of "ala dos namorados", "mads of Lisbon." Indeed, it is the perfect soundtrack for this portrait of the shadows that inhabit the towns, the invisible, the untouchables of our society today, that wander off and live without any dignity, the ones that are rescued by a legion of volunteers, social workers and other technician of institutions that such as they too are anonymous in this urban fabric that is more and more dehumanized. The documentary is not innovative in the sense that portrays the bitter side of some homeless people, each of the "characters" tell their story, their unhappiness, perhaps its more acutely characteristic is that there is a transposition of color for black and white. The images acquire an even more harsh tone; I would say even harder when that change occurs. The documentary immortalizes them and somehow humanizes them, without trivializing. Moreover, this type of subterfuge used by the film director who really wants to put a greater emphasis in certain scenes turns out to be a signature common in young Portuguese filmmakers. It is curious. I have spoken here of other documentary work that appealed to images in black and white. To close, all I have to say is that it's a cruel portrait of a society, but at the same time is also the struggle of those who do not give up these sorrow people. Good movie.

It is one of the best works of film director Joaquim Leitão.

This is the second film in a trilogy about the colonial war, which began with "hell". More than a portrait of the war is a sort of crime thriller boosted by the death of one prisoner and one of soldiers of the cantonment on an occasion which should have been a special holiday for all, Christmas Day, traditionally the time of truce between the two parties of the conflict. Thus, the dice are released and anything can happen. I liked the movie for its ongoing psychological tension that is palpable in the awkward silences between the characters. The work of the actors contributes further to strengthen the malaise that we can almost fees and it consumes everyone, is notable in this regard. However, I felt defrauded by the ending too disclosure. The argument failed in this regard, it should have been less obvious as the film cross-links could have boosted other outcome. Although the theme of homosexuality in the Portuguese armed forces is poignant, interesting, should have been addressed in a less obvious, less clear way, the viewer should have been caught by surprise and that's not what happened. Another positive point I wish to highlight were the battle scenes, usually Portuguese cinema, due to its inherent chronic lack of funding, shows war scenes that lacks in terms of accuracy, this was not the case, which is good. On"20.13 purgatory" is a good example of cinema made in Portugal and I refuse to say what the numbers mean, so you will have to see the movie. Good cinema.

Under the baton of the young filmmaker, Nuno Felix.

There are many theories, conjectures and rumors surrounding the death of the Russian composer, Pyotr Tchaikovsky Ilytch, Nuno Felix possessed only one of them, or created another possible outcome to the mysterious disappearance of the musician. The result is very smart. What if it was not genius, but his brother who wrote the music, Modest? Again, the department of cinema (the infamous and disgraced) Lusophone University formed a young filmmaker of great caliber. I liked this work by its apparent simplicity, which ultimately is like a musical. The cruelty of the argument is beaded by excerpts of the works of Tchaikvosky, an overture with the Swan Lake which reaches its climax with a funeral march. It is an ode to the composer's work and at the same time we see a story with a bit unusual ending. I enjoyed the participation of two great Joses of our national artistic scene, which we quite often see in movies, Eduardo and Wallenstein. I would say it is almost a thriller, without being one; you just close your eyes and let yourself be guided by the music and imagine a new myth about this great Russian composer. Et voila! I leave the link for your delight. Good movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuQSkzKnmhU

It is a documentary of Gonçalo Tocha about the smallest island of the Azores archipelago

It is the smallest of the nine islands that composes the Azores. Over the centuries this small territory lost in the ocean, was inhabited by slaves, pirates, buccaneers and American whalers. Currently, Corvo has 440 inhabitants and five thousand cows, without adding to the numbers the team that accompanied Gonzalo Tocha, who decided to film the day to day life of these special citizens. It's true. They are also Portuguese. Forgotten islanders but also Lusitanian's to the very core. How is to live on a cliff top, 6 km by 4 km apart from the world, with only one paved road, a small clinic, a police station and a small airstrip that only works a few days a week and many cattle? Probably we could rename Corvo island for cow island. Jokes aside, Gonçalo Tocha, the director, a descendant of Azorean wanted to do a visual archive of the everyday life of raven people, see what's behind the legends. He tapes all the sounds of the island, the wind, living beings and the voices, which pleased me greatly. It's a dense work, somewhat long, but it was necessary, because it reflects the time, as life on an island it is measured by sunrise and sunsets. Where there is no word stress or hurry. Where life just happens. I love this second work of this filmmaker and I won't add anymore, so you can find as I did this lost island in the Atlantic. The second link contains an interview of Gonçalo Tocha in English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB63L-mrgZI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaVpLGsQTTs&feature=related

It's an outdoors cycle of national cinema promoted by the confederation center for theater research and the musical group of Miragaia.

At a time when is been discussed the future of the Douro, due to construction of the dam of the Tua, it makes sense to show some of the stories of the river in the form of films. They are different approaches, different filmmakers, over the last half of the twentieth century. A retrospective that demonstrates the importance of this waterway, as the world's human heritage of UNESCO. According to Miguel Ramos, a member of the organization, "the River Douro rises in Spain in the province of Soria, in the peaks of the Sierra Urbião, at 2080 meters of altitude and crosses the north of Portugal until its end, climbing 927km. Looks around, goodbye to Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, and turns into the Atlantic. Right there at its root, the river may be as the man who navigates, who once dreamed of being the largest, the wider, reach further and felt the need to return to the sea. And from sweet child of the water, with the margins to compress it, sees itself free, open its arms and starts to live salty. " To open hostilities on the 14ht of July, two works by Adriano Nazareth show his very personal view of the river Douro, in the late fifties, with the films "a river which was won" and "Rebelos boats.". "En una poignée de mes amies," on July the 21st, the established duo, Manoel de Oliveira and Jean Rouch, show a visual anthropology of a river very important to the national economy. Finally on the 28th of this month, "the hours of the Douro" by Joana Pontes, close this cycle of films on various forms of unrest that this issue caused in the filmmakers, because "We are memory, and without "hestória (s) to tell about the Douro there will not be a history, or stories. It would be a river, unambitious of becoming the sea" as poetically concludes, Miguel Ramos.

Another great movie of a young Portuguese filmmaker.

The film of Rafael Antunes Martins discusses an historical fact, crucial to the events leading to the establishment of the republic in our country, which was the murder of Miguel Bombarda perpetuated by Pedro Melo, a monarchist, who assumed the identity of the Lieutenant Aparicio Santos. It is a historical short film, which demonstrates once again the great quality of a new generation of young filmmakers who are emerging in the panorama of Portuguese cinema, under the umbrella of Lusophone University. It is a mature feature, taking into account that it is the first project of Rafael Martins, the script is consistent and succinct, i.e., there are no superfluous words, are all framed in the context of the film. The frames also follow a rigorous plan, no loose ends and the end of this short film has a great aesthetic beauty. I also use this space to honor the national actors who participate in these small college projects, with a low budget, I praise their commitment and professionalism, as indeed is widely visible in this lieutenant. The cast is luxurious. Adriano Carvalho, Joao Perry and Rui Mendes give the characters a high density, even as is the case of this short film. So I advise you strongly to see it, sorry no subtitles this time and I hope Rafael Antunes Martins toast us with more films in the near future. Good movie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKQRXtVt7F0&feature=player_embedded#!

It is a documentary of Andre Guiomar about the boxer Juliana Rocha.

It is a remarkable testament not only by the portrayed of a personality and her daily live, but especially for the excellent work of this young director. I liked the black and white approach at the very beginning of André Guiomar distancing himself from the rest by making appeal to our imagination when he resists filming, and well, the crowds, we only hear the sounds of their screams and shouts. The images have great aesthetic beauty in its apparent stillness. The constant noise of the breath of our champion, at the beginning and end of the documentary, helps to create a rapport with the audience and was a very smart way to show the effort she has to endure for the sports she practices. It's pure emotion on the surface of the skin. The film is cinematically rich, not only by the images and sounds, but also by the choice of Juliana Rocha as "character" of this documentary. The story of this boxing champion, seen by the coach, her father and by the Andre Guiomar, doesn't fall in the lame tale of someone who has surpassed the difficulties and wins, but is the picture of a highly motivated and disciplined young woman who has a very important and concrete goal in a very masculine sport. On the other hand, we see clearly, the femininity, simplicity and friendliness of Juliana, features that she hides when she climbs into the ring. I liked so much, but so much this short film, that if I could I will awarded a prize. But do not set by my words, see it and appreciated. The film has subtitles in English. Good movie!

http://filmesportugueses.com/piton/

It is a feature film that speaks of love, friendship and monotony, directed by Sergio Graciano.

I like some Portuguese films, but not all. This is the one who liked to watch this year. It is the new Portuguese cinema, with a consistent argument and actors up to the challenge. It seems corny but true, I like the way they gave emphasis to the work of actors, a new generation of artists with signed with credits in the national art scene, and I liked how he filmed their faces, their facial expressions and above all enjoyed the script. This is it stronger point. The text is fluid, light and reflects the current universe of Portuguese semantics; it also exposes the anxieties, doubts and dilemmas of the new generation of Portuguese. Its only weakness is perhaps not having an actual outcome, i.e., there is not romantic, or moral, or amoral ending. Was important? I do not think that one of the main conditions of a movie is having always a predictable end, or desirable one. The film is also this, a mirror, without being. You wanted a Hollywood end? We're sorry! Let's just say this "so so" is a tangle of short stories that are told in first person or second and reflect our daily lives when we speak of ourselves or others. It is a film that is also a reflection of a television aesthetic too, since the writer comes from this universe and it shows in how he writes. So I liked the movie. Shall needed improvements, perhaps. But overall I enjoyed this almost urban vision of love, relationships and friendship. It is a romantic comedy without being, so, so. See it and then say something. Good movie.