The 2022 edition moved between memory and reinvention. Nineteen films set restored classics of Portuguese cinema alongside some of the most daring contemporary work coming out of the country, a dialogue between generations played out over successive November nights.
Manuela Serra's newly restored The Movement of Things, a singular portrait of village life long overlooked, anchored the historical strand. Against it, João Pedro Rodrigues' Will-O'-The-Wisp and Miguel Gomes and Maureen Fazendeiro's The Tsugua Diaries offered playful, formally inventive visions of desire, time and filmmaking itself.
Everyday Portugal ran through the programme too, in Susana Nobre's Jack's Ride and Laura Gonçalves' warm animated memoir The Garbage Man, films that find tenderness and humour in ordinary lives.
Many of the filmmakers were in the room. Renata Ferraz came to present Rua dos Anjos, which she co-directed with Maria Roxo.
João Pedro Rodrigues introduced his Will-O'-The-Wisp, and Susana Nobre her Jack's Ride, both staying to talk with the audience after the screenings.
Cristina Pinheiro presented Menina, and Alexandre Siqueira his animated short Purple Boy.
Sophia-Zoë Spiegel came to present her documentary Fado – For the Love of Saudade. Manuela Serra's restored The Movement of Things arrived with a devoted champion of its own: Hannes Bruhwiler, a festival programmer and long-time admirer of the film, travelled to present it himself.
To close, Renata Ferraz signed the Rua dos Anjos poster for the festival.
.webp)
