"Come, come, come!" the appeal is made by Débora Mateus, one of the organizers of the Olhão International Film and Literature Festival (FICLO) which starts today, July 15th. For a week there will be films, books and many reasons for interest, in an initiative that «follows all the sanitary rules, investing in the Algarve's wonderful outdoor evenings».
When Covid-19 began to gain familiar proportions, cultural events were one of the first areas affected. FICLO was no exception and its second edition, scheduled for March 28th to April 5th, was eventually cancelled.
Now, months later, it's back, but with differences. Few, yet. “In essence, everything remains. The film program is the same, but we had to postpone the Tropical Goth film cycle», explains Débora Mateus to Sul Informação.
“We felt that the topics covered were tough and this is not the ideal time to address the issues. Certainly, it will stay for another opportunity», he added.
“Obra Criativa”, a FICLO initiative that wants to support the production of works that take place in or relate to the Algarve, has also undergone changes.
This year, the festival's bet went to Tiago Hespanha, director who is in Olhão at an artistic residency, to write a script related to what he is experiencing, but, contrary to what was expected, «there will not be the staged reading that was planned with Rogério de Carvalho».
But let's talk about the good things about this festival. At a time when outdoor socializing has gained greater importance, FICLO will bet on cinema sessions in the courtyard of the Associação República 14, always at 21 pm.
“We have this particularity of having wonderful nights here in the Algarve and it is easier – and safer – to be outdoors”, said Débora Mateus.
Even the sessions in closed spaces, which will take place at the Municipal Auditorium of Olhão (always at 18:30 pm) and at the Algarcine cinemas (every day at 15:00 pm), will “comply with all the rules”, he guaranteed.
And there will be so much to see at this festival. The program “is wide, varied and all of it interesting”, but Débora Mateus highlights the retrospective of the director Alberto Serra. “We don't have many opportunities to get to know the integral work of a filmmaker and this one has a very interesting work that is different from what we are used to”, explains the organizer.
Is that all of his feature films are linked to literature, with a special focus on universal literature.
Free, for example, which will be shown on the 21st of July, at 18 pm, in the Municipal Auditorium of Olhão, is based on a theatrical play of the same name, which, in Serra's words, is a «carnal and materially very powerful puppet theater».
The Italian film cycle, which will have sessions at Algarcine at 15 pm and 00 pm, also remains intact, integrating classics by Rossellini, Visconti, Antonioni and Pasolini. One of the characteristics of this cycle is that it is composed of films that reflect the challenge of bringing a new contemporary narrative to cinema.
The opening film “Adoration”, by Fabrice du Welz, to be shown today, 15th of July, at 21 pm, in the courtyard of the Republic 30, and the closing one (“Valley of Souls”, by Nicolás Rincón Gille, on the 14st, at 21:21 pm, in the same place) are other highlights, being part of the films in competition in the international competition.
On the 17th and 18th there is the particularity of having two sessions in Tavira, at the Convento do Carmo, also outdoors.
Away from the big screen, FICLO proposes parallel activities, such as performance tours through Olhão, guided by Bruno Humberto and Isadora Alves Nunes, a nomadic bookshop, which will be at the Fruit Market in Olhão, but will also pass through Loulé and Tavira, and masterclasses, one of them with the Spanish journalist Javier Toletino, this Thursday, the 16th, at 16 pm, aboard the Caíque Bom Sucesso.
And will fear of the current pandemic lower expectations for a festival that is the first, dedicated to cinema, to take place after the period of confinement?
Débora Mateus admits that “there may be a break”, but she also leaves a message: “as there are few cultural activities, we think that this could even play in our favor. That's why I say, come, come, come».
To consult the complete FICLO schedule, click here
Tickets for the sessions at Algarcine and Olhão Municipal Auditorium can be purchased here Prices range from 3 to 4 euros. Tickets for sessions in Republic 14 cost 1 euro.
FICLO is promoted by the Cineclube de Tavira in co-production with the Municipality of Olhão and is supported by the program 365Algarve.
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