Mértola, the Guadiana River, a place of ancient watermills, where bread flour was milled. A place where birds live and people relax. Fishing boats pass by and the fish leap. The tide rises and falls, with the atmosphere changing every day. The color of the water and landscape vary throughout the year. At the same time, Manuela Barros Ferreira left us a piece of writing entitled “Soul”. Why do we gaze at the river?
Filmmaker details: Hiroatsu Suzuki
Self-taught film-maker and visual artist, who, early on in his life, frequently attended the Quioto Cinema Museum and local film club, where he saw many classical Japanese films and others from all over the world. After various experiences in independent films, went to live in Okinawa where he began to become interested in photography in rural environments. Departed for Europe, with the idea of refining his visual, artistic sense through photography and the watching of films. Went to ANIM, the Portuguese film archive, on a regular basis, where he got to know films by Manoel Oliveira, António Reis / Margarida Cordeiro and António Campos. Met Rossana Torres and began filming around Mértola. Made their first film together, “Cordão Verde” presented in Locarno, Toronto and Viennale film festivals amongst others. The film “Terra” won the Doclisboa’18 award for the best film of the Portuguese Competition and was chosen for the EU Film Days 2023 in Japan, being screened in various Japanese cities. Together with Rossana has created the association “Entre Imagem”, for cultural development and research in Mértola. * FILMOGRAPHY – Hiroatsu Suzuki and Rossana Torres 2025 – ÁGUA MÃE 2018 – TERRA 2012 – O SABOR DO LEITE CREME 2009 – CORDÃO VERDE
Filmmaker details: Rossana Torres
Born in Romania during her parents’ political exile, came to live with her grandparents in Portugal while still a child. After studying visual arts and cinema in Lisbon, worked for several years in cinematographic montage. Has settled in Mértola, where she develops educational work involving art projects within schools and the local community. Founded and runs the “Entre Imagem” association for the production and making of films, as well as for cultural and educational activities. Has co-produced various films with Hiroatsu Suzuki, which have been shown in a variety of international festivals. Since 2009, has collaborated with the association “Os Filhos de Lumière” in international programmes of mediation via cinema, creating and implementing workshops for children and young people, and training programmes for teachers and mediators throughout the whole country. Through “Entre Imagem”, promotes Mértola’s film club and the project “Olhar Pelo Tempo” (Looking Through Time) with film workshops to discover the region’s material, immaterial and environmental heritage.