Fourth session of the Manoel de Oliveira and Portuguese Cinema 3 film programme, parallel to the third part of the exhibition of the same name. The session will feature screenings of António Campos' Terra Fria (1992), presented by professor and researcher Manuela Penafria.


25 MAR | WED | 5PM
TERRA FRIA | COLD EARTH
António Campos | POR | 1992 | 100'

In the 1940s, in a remote village nestled in the mountains of Trás-os-Montes, Leonardo struggles to make ends meet by trading in marten and fox pelts, dreaming of the day he will own a shop. Ermelinda, his wife—the prettiest girl in the village—begins working in the home of Santiago, nicknamed “the American.” Santiago’s manners, charm, and, indirectly, his wealth eventually seduce her, and she has a child from this relationship. To get rid of her, the “American” gives her money and helps Leonardo acquire the long-desired “farm.” Meanwhile, he sets his sights on Guida, a 16-year-old girl, who also becomes pregnant. Santiago decides to seek out Ermelinda again, and she kills him in a fit of rage. Ermelinda tells her husband that she killed the “American” in self-defense. Leonardo offers to take responsibility for the crime and flees to Spain, to the home of his friend Iglesias. Some time later, Leonardo realizes he is not the child’s father and leaves his refuge to confront Ermelinda. The police arrest him on the way. Ermelinda then decides to tell the truth and face justice. (Official synopsis)