EDITORIAL - 40ª Mostra

40 YEARS - TIME TO REFLECT

The São Paulo International Film Festival is privileged to celebrate its 40th anniversary with the art of the great Italian director Marco Bellocchio. Owner of one of the most important and emblematic filmographies of the last 50 years, Bellocchio will be celebrated with a selection of his most representative films and the Leon Cakoff Prize for lifetime achievement. His political and human cinema will also be present with his recent work: the short film Pagliacci and Sweet Dreams, opening film of Mostra’s present edition.

For the poster of the 40th Mostra, Bellochio joined several elements of Good Morning, Night (2003), which addresses the kidnapping of Aldo Moro by the Red Brigades extremist group. Political forces in an episode where the radicalization, on one hand in the act itself and on the other the refusal of dialogue, has led to the death of Italian former prime minister. But art can also bring us current political and social upheaval. Several situations will be reflected in Mostra’s program with films that address major contemporary issues: refuge, war, political conflicts.

Honored with the Humanity Award, the great Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda, also has politics and history as marks of his work. Through the retrospective dedicated to him, we can learn about historical and political changes in Poland.

The Wajda Retrospective is part of the Polish Showcase. A wide overview that brings out the exciting new Polish cinema, and also pays a tribute to the great Krzysztof Kieślowski. From his work it will be presented his early documentaries and the masterpiece The Decalogue (1988). The ten films made for Polish television were first screened in Brazil at the 13th Mostra with enormous repercussions and considered the revelation of that year.

In our 40th anniversary, we have allowed ourselves to make some intersections with our own history. With the screening of Paterson, we have taken the opportunity to revisit the feature films that Jim Jarmusch has previously showed at Mostra. In addition to the “poem” Paterson and as a tribute to this filmmaker so dear to our audience, there are such films in this year’s program as Permanent Vacation (1980), Strangers than Paradise (1984) and Down by Law (1986).

On the occasion of the latest film by Paul Verhoeven, Elle, we screen again The Fourth Man (1983), a resounding success of the 8th Mostra. The boldness, talent and complexity of Paul Verhoeven can be reviewed in these two works that are so many years away from each other.

From the American independent director Bette Gordon, there will be presented her new feature film, The Drowning, and her first movie, Variety (1984), the latter a revelation of 9th Mostra. Since the 1970’s, Bette Gordon is recognized for her role in female representation in cinema by covering topics considered taboo.

With the exhibition of his most recent work, the TV series The Young Pope, Italian director Paolo Sorrentino will also be present with his debut feature, One Man Up, part of the 25th Mostra.

Every year, Mostra reveals new directors and brings together a wide selection of new films by renowned filmmakers. But the recovery of the memory of cinema is always present. Therefore, the celebration of Paulo Emílio’s centennial could not stay out of our program. In MASP’s clear span it will be displayed films beloved by the creator of Brazilian Cinematheque, classics of film history and of his critique wealth.

Together with Bergmancenter, Mostra brings to Itaú Cultural the exhibition Behind The Mask - 50 Years of Persona and shall screen the 4K version of Persona (1966), essential work of the filmmaker Ingmar Bergman.

The French Connection (1971), great success in the 1970’s, emblematic movie of its time, keeps on admired and reaches 45 years in 2016. To celebrate this date, Mostra will honor the director William Friedkin with the Leon Cakoff Prize and the presentation of his most acclaimed works, such as The Exorcist (1973) and Sorcerer (1977). The director will also give an open master class to the public.

Antonio Pitanga, symbol actor of Brazilian cinema, will also be honored with the Leon Cakoff Prize and will be at Mostra with Pitanga, a documentary directed by Beto Brant and his daughter, Camila Pitanga, which retells his journey through meetings with people that have marked his life.

We also remember beloved names who left us this year. Lucio Flávio (1976), winner of the first Mostra, will be screened in tribute to Hector Babenco.

Unlikely Encounter and O Clique Único de Assis Horta will be presented in memory of the critic José Carlos Avellar, who conceived the project of these films for the Instituto Moreira Salles.

Mostra also recalls the master Abbas Kiarostami with his latest film, Take Me Home, and the documentary 76 Minutes and 15 Seconds with Kiarostami by Seifollah Samadian.

The traditional outdoor screening at Ibirapuera Auditorium this time will exhibit The General, classic film by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman, with a restored version. The session of this silent film classic will close 40th Mostra and will have, once again, the musical accompaniment by the Heliopolis Symphony Orchestra. It will be the world premiere of the new soundtrack composed by maestro Robert Israel who will come to São Paulo especially to conduct the orchestra.

Thus, we close the 40th Mostra with joy and hope. Thanking cinema that, even in fragmented information times, allows us to see, listen and reflect on another story.

We thank our sponsors who made possible the accomplishment of a Mostra deserving of its 40 years, which, as always, promotes dialogues with different cultures and opinions.

We wish everyone a good Mostra and may it bring voices that shall make us think.

Renata de Almeida

43ª MOSTRA INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA

43ª MOSTRA INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA