José Rodrigo Freitas, from Faial, graduated in Communication Design from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto and in Cinema from the School of Theater and Cinema. The young man is presenting his first short film at the opening of the third edition of LAVADIAS, the open-air film festival. The event, which will take place next Tuesday, August 13, at 9:30 p.m., at Forte de Santa Catarina in Lajes do Pico, embraces the filmmaker’s presence.

“Entre o Mar e a Ilha” (Between the Sea and the Island), an experimental documentary, the subject of an assessment and conclusion of a degree in Cinema at the Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema in Lisbon, is the work that will open the festival.

A search, an autobiographical archaeology, an essay on the relationship between an island son and his father and the sea. There is a father (a fisherman) who “doesn’t exist” on the island and reveals himself momentarily at sea. There is a boat, built by the fisherman, which in the past and at sea was the meeting point with his son and which now sails in the middle of the island. And there are infinite layers, thoughts, and memories in that space-time “between” that sea and that island.

José Rodrigo Freitas finished his degree in December 2023 and works as a colorist at IRMALUCIA, a film post-production house.

The opening night of LAVADIAS also features Nuno Sá’s latest work, “Lajes Terra de Gigantes.” LAVADIAS is a MiratecArts project in partnership with the Municipality of Lajes do Pico. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to bring blankets, cushions, and quilts to the venue and enjoy movie nights with the stars. http://www.miratecarts.com

From a Press Release – translated by Diniz Borges