We are all foreigners: A meeting of Portuguese-speaking countries in the second edition of Cine Luso

The second edition of the festival Cine Luso Espirito Mundo is an audio-visual meeting of the Portuguese-speaking countries. It takes place from the 5th until the 23rd November in Brussels. The theme of the second edition of CINE LUSO Espirito Mundo is We are all foreigners.

This thematic audio-visual and research meeting within the Portuguese speaking world is dedicated to the challenges related to migration, territories and identities, through a series of documentaries from countries of expression and Portuguese language.

“If we speak of memory we can speak of the construction of the identity of Brazil or the political issues of lusophone Africa with several countries linked by language. On the other hand, we evaluate the reasons that lead us to seek other territories and how to feel in the world being part of it by origin or affectivity. We think of language as the fundamental link and we question the existence of the existential link. We still have the situation of people originating in the Amazon that today suffer threats in their territories of origin at the same time that the immigrants also suffer. Let us reflect on the question of territoriality in the discourse of belonging and identity,’’ says Aline Yasmin, producer of the project.

We are all foreigners focuses on migration to promote filmmakers and films focused on territory and identity in a series of six questions:

  • Who am I in the world? Immigration and sense of belonging
  • Who approves this place?  The perception of identity and challenges of indigenous peoples in the Amazon in Brazil; The memory and senses of Lusophone Africa: Paths and issues
  • My patry, my language? Language, diversity and identity in Lusophony
  • And if I cannot stay? Involuntary migration and resistance
  • Brazil, a country built on mix: Memory and the migratory journey in several regions of Brazil.

 

 

“The issue of migration is urgent because we are facing a process of deep reflection around the world about being a migrant. Lusophony itself is a process of migration and establishment of new frontiers. It seems clear to us that we should opt for the theme that underlies the very concept of the project, which is to move from humanity in search of other territories,” says Monica Musoni, the organiser.

The organisation is focused on the production of Portuguese-speaking cinema, which addresses specific themes chosen for each edition. Cine Luso Espirito Mundo is also a platform for dissemination, promotion and intercultural dialogue between Portuguese-speaking countries and other communities.

“We hope to establish a bridge between all communities in Brussels, lusophony is our starting point. Gather this community around issues that are sensitive to them and stand as a point of connections between them has been achieved since we have seen an audience from all the Portuguese speaking countries participating in the debates.’’

The second edition follows exclusively the film-debate model, with the presence of directors, activists, experts on migration and identity issues. The realization of the project is conducted by the non-profit organization Espirito Mundo, and takes place at the Maison des cultures and the Maison du Peuple, with the support of the Comunne de Saint Gilles.

As in the 2017 edition, the meeting promotes a Creative residence, with the challenge of producing a two-week short film and it will involve researchers, producers, directors, actors and artists from various local and international creative sectors.

The result will be displayed at the Maison du Peuple in Saint Gilles on November 23rd, in the presence of the collective director.

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