The Metamorphosis of Birds by Catarina Vasconcelos
Choose one of the following films to watch:
a. Leviathan, directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Verena Paravel (USA, 2013): go-pro cameras attached to fishing equipment immerse us in the sounds and textures (and, almost, smells) of the fishing industry off the coast of Massachusetts
b. Geographies of Solitude, directed by Jacqueline Mills (Canada, 2021): a quiet portrait of an environmentalist on a remote island
c. The Human Surge, directed by Eduardo Williams (Argentina/Mozambique/Philippines, 2016): a strange, immersive and partially scripted documentary filmed in three countries. A study of leisure and work in the global digital economy
*brief explicit sexual content
d. Prism, directed by Eléonore Yameogo, An van. Dienderen, and Rosine Mbakam (Belgium/Cameroon, 2021): a collaborative film, made in part over zoom, delves into the racist history of film technology and black skin
e. Off-Frame AKA Revolution Until Victory, directed by Mohanad Yaqubi (Palestine/Lebanon, 2015): an archival found footage film that compiles “lost” rediscovered work from 1960s and 1970s made by the Palestinian Film Unit. For those interested in militant cinema.
*some descriptions/images of violence
f. The Metamorphosis of Birds, directed by Catarina Vasconcelos (Portugal, 2020) – an intimate, highly poetic portrait of the filmmaker’s relationship to her parents
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The Metamorphosis of Birds by Catarina Vasconcelos
Introduction/Plot
In unraveling the tapestry of her familial legacy, Portuguese filmmaker Catarina Vasconcelos crafts a cinematic odyssey traversing multiple generations. The film, "The Metamorphosis of Birds," showcases Vasconcelos' distinct storytelling finesse, interweaving personal anecdotes, archival footage, and visually enchanting scenes to bring her family saga to life. Though the title initially bewilders, its essence becomes clear as Vasconcelos employs the metaphor of birds and their migratory patterns, skillfully connecting family members while delving into the profound themes of memory, loss, and the cyclicality inherent in life.
Body/Structural
Navigating the cinematic labyrinth of "The Metamorphosis of Birds" demands a profound focus, a mental excavation into the abstract. The film's avant-garde structure and unfamiliar language require a deliberate immersion to grasp the unfolding narrative. Despite this innovative approach, the story unveils itself with a clarity that
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