In the lineup of films featured in the Porto/Post/Doc 2024 program, three films stand out, illuminating historical issues of resistance and justice as well as visions of possible futures. Each work, in its own way, sheds new light on moments of struggle that resonate to this day, whether in the pursuit of political freedom, identity, or self-determination.
Sempre, by Luciana Fina, is a documentary deeply rooted in Portugal's Carnation Revolution. Fifty years after the fall of the dictatorship, Fina revisits the images of the time, connecting viewers to the fight against Salazar's regime and the nation's aspirations to build an emancipated future. The film traverses the years of Salazarist repression through the PREC (Ongoing Revolutionary Process), capturing the spirit of transformation and the challenges of decolonization, revealing the power of cinema not only to record history but to intervene in it. Screening on November 24 and 25 at Batalha Centro de Cinema (4:30 pm) and Passos Manuel (5:30 pm), respectively.
In Slimane, directed by Carlos Pereira, the narrative shifts to Germany in the near future, where the marginalization of queer people intensifies. Omar, recently released from prison, finds himself in a devastated world where fear threatens to suffocate any hope. Though fiction, Omar’s struggle echoes the resistance of marginalized communities throughout history. Slimane captures the spirit of survival in a setting of oppression, a tribute to ongoing struggles for justice and acceptance. Screening on November 26 at 3:15 pm at Passos Manuel.
Finally, Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, by Johan Grimonprez, explores the intersection of jazz and decolonization, revisiting the Cold War to highlight the role of music in resisting colonialism. The documentary follows the invasion of the UN Security Council by musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach in protest against the assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba. This act of courage offers a critical view of the roots of neocolonialism and the ongoing struggle for African self-determination, questioning the official narrative of history. Screening on November 24 and 27 at Passos Manuel (9:30 pm) and Batalha Centro de Cinema (9:15 pm), respectively.
Centered on documentary cinema and featuring a program of more than 60 films from around the world, Porto/Post/Doc returns to Porto from November 22 to 30. More information about the program and tickets is available at www.portopostdoc.com.
