The Metamorphosis of Birds (Catarina Vasconcelos, 2020)

[TajSamKojiJesam]

The closing film of the Berlinale’s new Encounters sidebar is the fictionalized documentary, “The Metamorphosis of Birds,” the debut feature from Portuguese director Catarina Vasconcelos.
(...)
The highly personal documentary explores her own family universe beginning with her grandparents, who spent many months apart, since her grandfather was a sailor. Her grandmother died of a stroke in 1984, two years before the director was born, and she herself lost her own mother in 2003, which both she and her father had to come to terms with.

https://variety.com/2020/film/global...ds-1203516905/

A Metamorfose dos pássaros | Trailer | Berlinale Encounters 2020 - YouTube

[Mothravka]

Such a beautiful and poetic film. Reminded me a bit of Raúl Ruiz and Manoel de Oliveira.

[TajSamKojiJesam]

I don't think I've seen anything by de Oliveira, but it reminded me of João Vladimiro. Maybe the Portuguese have a "national film aesthetic" or something.
While I felt it was maybe a bit too long, yes it definitely leaves an impression. I particularly liked the shot choice and composition, really exquisite visuals that bring to mind Raúl Ruiz and Baroque still life paintings. I'm surprised there's so little buzz about the movie, but I suppose it's too recent still.

[Mothravka]

If you live in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania or Serbia, the film is currently available through Dokufest.

https://dokufest.com/en/programme/8000/film/603425

[Mothravka]

If you are in Greece, the film is now streaming for free until 26 October online at the The Greek Film Archive.

https://online.tainiothiki.gr/film/o...osis-of-birds/

[Mothravka]

Oscars Race: Portugal Chooses Catarina Vasconcelos’ debut feature ‘The Metamorphosis of Birds’

Not that I care about the Oscars that much, but I know others here do. It would be nice if this kind of exposure might lead to a physical release. Still the best film I've seen from 2020!