SÚLU S´ÁUA
*THE WATER SPIRIT
An exploration of an island dominated by violence and ghosts, where the only solution to return to a peaceful. Coexistence, between the world of the living and that of the departed, is to pay the debts of the past.
SÚLU S´ÁUA [stills] 2023
DIRECTOR`S NOTES
This film intends to approach Portuguese colonialism in São Tomé e Príncipe, from the collective memory and its current impact on the population. The film is structured on collaborative practice, through the collective participation of the actors in the process of creation of the scenes and dialogues of the film. The "characters" were built from the actors' daily lives and personal histories, their interpersonal relationships, and the collective memory of the colonialism.
We have continuously sought to develop means for a deep understanding of reality, and the involvement of the community and actors in the collaborative, reconstructive, and constructive process of the film's material reality. Incorporating individual, collective, and historical knowledge and their perception of Portuguese colonialism.
We have tried not to lose this complexity of different realities and times, which allow us to create the film, articulating DAILY LIFE, HISTORY, MEMORY, and FANTASTIC.
SÚLU S´ÁUA [stills] 2023
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Slavery officially ended in São Tomé e Príncipe in 1875. Through the Portuguese colonial Administration, the slavery work was perpetuated until its independence, in 1975. From the 15th century, when the Portuguese established a colony, until the official end of slavery, São Tomé e Príncipe served as a slave-trading depot from Africa to South America. In the 19th century, the islands became one of the first to grow cocoa in Africa. After the abolition of slavery, to meet the labor demand caused by the end of slavery, the Portuguese colonial administration started “contracting workers” from other Portuguese colonies in Africa, including Angola, Cabo Verde and Mozambique. These “contract workers” were forced to live in poor conditions, working 9 hours a day, six days a week, and 4 hours on Sunday on plantations camps.
A production system with slave work was implemented and all forms of violence were instituted, such as lack of freedom and physical punishment, arbitrary raids, and imprisonment. In 1953, the “Massacre of 53”/“Trindade War” committed by the Portuguese colonial administration, resulted in persecution, violence, torture and death. The colonial administration created a concentration camp in Fernão Dias, where they tortured the population, forcing them to remove all the water from the ocean with buckets or using an electric chair to force them to confess to participating in the conspiracy against the colonial forces.
The “Massacre of 53”/“Trindade War” marked the rise of the independence movement in São Tomé and Príncipe. Today ” Fernão Dias Memorial” is a national symbol, remembered each year on February 3.
SÚLU S´ÁUA [stills] 2023
Year 2023
DCP; 30’; colour; 5.1; Portugal
Production Oxalá Filmes
Direction and Script Sofia Borges
Cast
Awelton (Awelton Trindade)
Bumba (Honório Soares)
Tradicional Healer (Inocêncio Costa)
Cinematography Afonso Gaudêncio
Editing Sofia Borges and Diogo Vale
Sound Bernardo Theriaga, Júlio Pereira e Rui Viana Pereira
Color Correction Gonçalo Ferreira
Sound Mix Elvis Veiguinha
Visual Effects Irmã Lúcia
Graphic Design Inês Veiga
Institucional Partner
Ministry of Tourism and Culture of São Tomé and Príncipe
Financial Support
Alliance Française of São Tomé and Príncipe
Oxalá Filmes
Financial Support for Post-Production
ICA / The Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual
Ministry of Culture of Portugal
Support for Sound Post-Production
Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Porto)
Digital Mix Música e Imagem
Fundação GDA
Portugal Film
The Yellow Color
BIOGRAPHIES
ACTOR AND CULTURAL ADVISOR
Honório Soares
His artistic name is “Flecha Negra” “Black Arrow“. He 's a fisherman, a singer, and a dance performer at Direção da Cultura de São Tomé e Príncipe/ Direction of Culture of São Tomé and Príncipe. He's the artistic director of several cultural dance and music groups in São Tomé: “Bulaué Marina”, Danço Congo “Vera Cruz” and Danço Congo “Estrela do Mar”, the only female Danço Congo group in São Tomé, among others. At the international level, he participated in the Pan African Festival in Algeria and other dance performances in Portugal, Japan, and Taiwan.
ACTOR
Inocêncio Costa
He 's a shipping clerk, dance performer, and actor at Direcção da Cultura de São Tomé e Príncipe/ Direction of Culture of São Tomé and Príncipe. He was an actor in the film “Massacre de Batepá” (2010) by Orlando Fortunato, and collaborated with film and theatre directors, such as Januário Afonso, Ayres Major, Domingos de Barros, Antero Dinis. He also performed in Algeria, Angola, Brazil, Japan, and Portugal theatres.
ACTOR
Awelton Trindade
Palm tree worker and farmer. Member do Danço Congo de Otótó.
Honório Soares
His artistic name is “Flecha Negra” “Black Arrow“. He 's a fisherman, a singer, and a dance performer at Direção da Cultura de São Tomé e Príncipe/ Direction of Culture of São Tomé and Príncipe. He's the artistic director of several cultural dance and music groups in São Tomé: “Bulaué Marina”, Danço Congo “Vera Cruz” and Danço Congo “Estrela do Mar”, the only female Danço Congo group in São Tomé, among others. At the international level, he participated in the Pan African Festival in Algeria and other dance performances in Portugal, Japan, and Taiwan.
ACTOR
Inocêncio Costa
He 's a shipping clerk, dance performer, and actor at Direcção da Cultura de São Tomé e Príncipe/ Direction of Culture of São Tomé and Príncipe. He was an actor in the film “Massacre de Batepá” (2010) by Orlando Fortunato, and collaborated with film and theatre directors, such as Januário Afonso, Ayres Major, Domingos de Barros, Antero Dinis. He also performed in Algeria, Angola, Brazil, Japan, and Portugal theatres.
ACTOR
Awelton Trindade
Palm tree worker and farmer. Member do Danço Congo de Otótó.
DIRECTION, EDITING AND SOUND DESIGN
Rui Viana Pereira
Autodidact. Since 1990 he has been working on the conception of soundtracks, recording, editing, and sound design in the context of classical, electronic, digital, and concrete musical languages. He works in different areas such as contemporary dance, film/video, sound installation, and performance. He collaborated with João Garcia Miguel, Aldara Bizarro, Francisco Camacho, Ludger Lämers, Margarida Mestre and Teatro Olho. He did sound direction, sound recording, editing, and sound mastering in the following films: “Nasci com a Trovoada” (2017) and “Aqui Há Gente”(2013) by Leonor Areal; “Friends from Peniche” (2011) by Clara Gomes; “Gente da Casa” (2008) by Ruy Otero; “Saramago” (1995) by João Mário Grilo; “Strong tea with lemon” (1993) by António Macedo, among others.
DIRECTOR OF SOUND
Bernardo Theriaga
In Torres Novas, he was part of different amateur theater groups. In 2016 he concluded - Som - at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema, where he worked in the film “Heroísmo” by Helena Estrela, “Uivo” and “A Minha Juventude” directed by Rita Quelhas. In 2016 he was sound director, with Leonor Teles of “Balada de um Batráquio” – winner of the prize for best short at the Berlin International Film Festival. Later he was the sound director of the film “Terra Franca” by the same director. He worked on sound recording, editing, and mixing work, with the film directors such as Albert Serra, Carlos Conceição, Diogo Vale, Emily Wardill, Fernando Vendrell, Frederico Mesquita, Henrique Oliveira, Inês Nunes, Ivo M. Ferreira, James Newitt, João Canijo, Manthia Diawara, Maria Inês Gonçalves, Marta Ribeiro, Miguel Nunes, Mónica Lima, and Pedro Cabeleira.
DIRECTOR OF SOUND
Júlio Pereira
He graduated in Cinema - Sound - at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema. In 2001 he started working in cinema production, décors, and special effects with Portuguese directors such as João Mário Grilo, Fernando Matos Silva, Manoel de Oliveira, Joaquim Leitão, João Pedro Bernard, and João Cayatte. Between 2006 and 2009 he worked as an assistant to the artist Joana Vasconcelos. Júlio Pereira works regularly in the Sound department for cinema, television, and advertising, integrating national and international teams. And he is a professor of Sound at the Cascais School of Arts & Design.
Rui Viana Pereira
Autodidact. Since 1990 he has been working on the conception of soundtracks, recording, editing, and sound design in the context of classical, electronic, digital, and concrete musical languages. He works in different areas such as contemporary dance, film/video, sound installation, and performance. He collaborated with João Garcia Miguel, Aldara Bizarro, Francisco Camacho, Ludger Lämers, Margarida Mestre and Teatro Olho. He did sound direction, sound recording, editing, and sound mastering in the following films: “Nasci com a Trovoada” (2017) and “Aqui Há Gente”(2013) by Leonor Areal; “Friends from Peniche” (2011) by Clara Gomes; “Gente da Casa” (2008) by Ruy Otero; “Saramago” (1995) by João Mário Grilo; “Strong tea with lemon” (1993) by António Macedo, among others.
DIRECTOR OF SOUND
Bernardo Theriaga
In Torres Novas, he was part of different amateur theater groups. In 2016 he concluded - Som - at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema, where he worked in the film “Heroísmo” by Helena Estrela, “Uivo” and “A Minha Juventude” directed by Rita Quelhas. In 2016 he was sound director, with Leonor Teles of “Balada de um Batráquio” – winner of the prize for best short at the Berlin International Film Festival. Later he was the sound director of the film “Terra Franca” by the same director. He worked on sound recording, editing, and mixing work, with the film directors such as Albert Serra, Carlos Conceição, Diogo Vale, Emily Wardill, Fernando Vendrell, Frederico Mesquita, Henrique Oliveira, Inês Nunes, Ivo M. Ferreira, James Newitt, João Canijo, Manthia Diawara, Maria Inês Gonçalves, Marta Ribeiro, Miguel Nunes, Mónica Lima, and Pedro Cabeleira.
DIRECTOR OF SOUND
Júlio Pereira
He graduated in Cinema - Sound - at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema. In 2001 he started working in cinema production, décors, and special effects with Portuguese directors such as João Mário Grilo, Fernando Matos Silva, Manoel de Oliveira, Joaquim Leitão, João Pedro Bernard, and João Cayatte. Between 2006 and 2009 he worked as an assistant to the artist Joana Vasconcelos. Júlio Pereira works regularly in the Sound department for cinema, television, and advertising, integrating national and international teams. And he is a professor of Sound at the Cascais School of Arts & Design.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Afonso Gaudêncio
He studied cinema with a specialization in Cinematography at the Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema in Lisbon. Since 2015 he has been working in film, television, and commercial productions as a camera operator, lighting, and cinematographer. He has integrated independent productions as director of photography: “Zoro” (2019) by António Tainha; “The Cure For Loneliness” (2019) by Mattias Veermets; “Heroísmo” (2016) by Helena Estrela Vasconcelos; “The Girl from Berlin” (2015) by Bruno de Freitas Leal; “Sala Vazia” (2015) by Afonso Mota, among other films. Afonso Gaudêncio was Camera Assistant in Paul (2016) by Marcelo Félix and Image Assistant in “O Divã de Stalin” (2016) by Fanny Ardant.
EDITING
Diogo Vale
He graduated in Cinema – Directing – at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema. In 2016, his short film “Corpo Cego”, was premiered at the Curtas Vila do Conde festival (Section “Take 1!” 2016) and at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (Official Shorts Competition 2017). In 2017, he directed “Cedrim” (Short Vila do Conde – National Competition 2017). He works as an editor on “De Madrugada” by Inês Lima (San Sebastián International Film Festival 2017, Indielisboa 2017), “A Barriga de Mariana” by Frederico Mesquita (Indielisboa 2018), “História da Noite” (Indielisboa 2019) by Inês Nunes and “Zoro” by António Tainha.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Inês Veiga
Designer, researcher and educator, works communication design with social issues in close collaboration with organizations and communities. Inês currentlylectures at the Lisbon School of Architecture University of Lisbon, and at the Faculty of Architecture and Arts of the Lusíada University. Co-founding member of the NGO Locals Approach. Member of the research group REDES Research and Education in Design integrated in the network DESISLAB. Holds a PhD in Design from the Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (2020) and a degree in Communication Design from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon (2008).
Afonso Gaudêncio
He studied cinema with a specialization in Cinematography at the Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema in Lisbon. Since 2015 he has been working in film, television, and commercial productions as a camera operator, lighting, and cinematographer. He has integrated independent productions as director of photography: “Zoro” (2019) by António Tainha; “The Cure For Loneliness” (2019) by Mattias Veermets; “Heroísmo” (2016) by Helena Estrela Vasconcelos; “The Girl from Berlin” (2015) by Bruno de Freitas Leal; “Sala Vazia” (2015) by Afonso Mota, among other films. Afonso Gaudêncio was Camera Assistant in Paul (2016) by Marcelo Félix and Image Assistant in “O Divã de Stalin” (2016) by Fanny Ardant.
EDITING
Diogo Vale
He graduated in Cinema – Directing – at Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema. In 2016, his short film “Corpo Cego”, was premiered at the Curtas Vila do Conde festival (Section “Take 1!” 2016) and at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (Official Shorts Competition 2017). In 2017, he directed “Cedrim” (Short Vila do Conde – National Competition 2017). He works as an editor on “De Madrugada” by Inês Lima (San Sebastián International Film Festival 2017, Indielisboa 2017), “A Barriga de Mariana” by Frederico Mesquita (Indielisboa 2018), “História da Noite” (Indielisboa 2019) by Inês Nunes and “Zoro” by António Tainha.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Inês Veiga
Designer, researcher and educator, works communication design with social issues in close collaboration with organizations and communities. Inês currentlylectures at the Lisbon School of Architecture University of Lisbon, and at the Faculty of Architecture and Arts of the Lusíada University. Co-founding member of the NGO Locals Approach. Member of the research group REDES Research and Education in Design integrated in the network DESISLAB. Holds a PhD in Design from the Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon (2020) and a degree in Communication Design from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon (2008).