What a great start we’ve had!
MONSTRA’s opening happened exactly 7 days ago with the inauguration of the exhibitions “Traces of Movement” by Raimund Krumme at the National Society of Fine Arts, and “Centenary of Portuguese Animation Cinema: 100 years, 100 films” at the Cinemateca Portuguesa. At Cinema São Jorge, the official Opening Ceremony presented us with three world premieres and had the distinguished presence of the Japanese Ambassador in Portugal, Makoto Ota, the directors Koji Yamamura and André Ruivo, and the special participation of the choir of the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa (ESML).
It was with great joy that we relived long-standing friendships, who every year travel from all corners of Lisbon, Portugal and the world to give us prestige, and we welcomed new faces, excited and inspired, like us, for the coming days full of cinema, animation and discoveries.
But there is still much to unveil in the programme of this already historic edition. From Wednesday to Sunday, the last highlights of the 22nd MONSTRA:
The competition for the MONSTRA Grand Prix for Best Feature Film continues!
In “My Love Affair with Marriage”, we sympathise with Zelma, thirsty for love and acceptance. Pursued by three mythological sirens, she sets out on a 23-year quest for the perfect love and a lasting marriage. However, upon discovering her feminine condition, she realises that nothing will ever be that simple.
In preview, “No Dogs or Italians Allowed” arrives at MONSTRA with a curriculum of awards and a touching story about memory, family ties and the challenges of emigration, following the steps of Luigi Ughetto, the director’s grandfather.
“Yaya & Lennie – The Walking Liberty” and “Perlimps” are the weekend’s choices for a wide audience, from kids to adults, with messages of peace, friendship, empathy, and celebration of differences.
Predictions for which feature film will win the Grand Prix of the 22nd MONSTRA?
“Ice Merchants”, world premieres and 13 stories from Portugal to the world
With an unprecedented emphasis on national productions, this edition of MONSTRA brings us 13 beautiful Portuguese films in competition for the SPA / Vasco Granja Award. There are three world premieres — “Ana Morphose” by João Rodrigues, “The Long Legged Man” by Vitor Hugo Rocha, and “The Time Keeping House” by Joana Imaginário -, as well as the Annie Awards 2023 winner, “Ice Merchants” by João Gonzalez, which has been opening the doors to Portuguese cinema in Hollywood.
A session full of talent to discover and rediscover, in a key year for culture and Portuguese animation.
24 March, 9 p.m., at Cinema São Jorge (Room Manoel de Oliveira)
Travelling from the past to the future on MONSTRA’s back
As paradoxical as it may sound, MONSTRA knows that the most dynamic cultures are also the most traditional; the most contemporary, the most ancestral; and the most alive, those that most value their memory. New futures can only be born from a critical and generous look at the past, a space-time that we can inhabit again through the arts. This coming week, to inspire (at least) the next 100 years of world animation, the festival revisits the centenary of the revolutionary Walt Disney Company, as well as the Czech historical films “Alice” by Jan Svankmajer, and “Old Czech Legends” by master Jirí Trnka. Programmes not to be missed, from Thursday to Saturday.
Old Czech Legends: 23 March, at 7:30 p.m., Cinemateca Portuguesa
Alice: 24 March, at 7:30 p.m., at the Cinemateca Portuguesa
100 Years of Disney: 25 March, at 3:00 p.m., at Cinemateca Júnior
Upcoming events
[Book launch]
Nayola
23 March, 4:30 p.m.
Cinema São Jorge
[Concert]
JazzAnim – Animated films accompanied live by the Hot Club Jazz School
24 March, 11:15 p.m.
Cinema São Jorge
[Party]
Closing Party
25 March, from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Titanic Sur Mer
[Special Event]
Closing Ceremony
25 March, 9:30 p.m.
Cinema São Jorge
Enjoy the last days of MONSTRA 2023, only until Sunday, 26 March. Tickets on sale at the ticket office of each cinema venue and online.