This short is beautiful and poetic, but they should have gone for a different Fernando Pessoa. The actors posture as nothing to do with what Pessoa was about. The multi-personallity genius poet needs a more disturbing presence in order to become believable.
2 Reviews
HFPSP; or, Dawn of the Encoberto
Elijah_T27 December 2019
Knowing nothing of Portugal, I didn't get the jokes, but they seemed to be ever present in a deadpan way. That being said, there were two moments that had me chuckling. Hell, the entire exorcism of Coca-Louca scene was funny. And now that I think about it, rather campy. Though I'm unsure why, that scene reminds me of Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)
The film's 5 minute opening consists of two things. The first is a narration of Pessoa's poem "The Bell in My Town." The second is a patient collection of interesting shots of various places and things set to a male gently singing a Fado song of seeming importance while two different guitars accompany.
The film has plentiful steady shots and back-and-forth closeups during conversations. There's something about seeing the actors deliver their lines to the fullest by way of careful facial expressions. Something that omits any need for an accompanying soundtrack that sets the mood/intent on its own and muddies the waters in the process.
Overall, this is a funny and interesting "mini-film" (directly?) based on a true story. I imagine people who are from or live in Portugal would appreciate it far more than this foreigner could, especially if they know the Coca-Louca story or atleast know of Fernando Pessoa.
Side Notes:
1) I enjoyed the sense making of the ending.
2) When his obvious/suspiciously evil twin (Álvaro de Campos-his heteronym) visits, tho. WTF? Like a young Johnny Depp in an old school suit.
3) I found myself listening to Fado music for the first time on SoundCloud a day or two after watching parts of the film again for this review. Interesting stuff. Somehow led me to a SoundCloud station.
4) If you want to understand the title, google "Coca-Cola murders union leaders" or give KillerCoke a visit.
5) Coca-Cola remained banned in Portugal for 40 years, only to be allowed in 1977.
Disclosure:
I read, after finishing the 2nd draft of this review, MUBI's Notebook Interview titled Waiting For the Hidden One: Eugène Green Discusses "How Fernando Pessoa Saved Portugal." I recommend it if you want to understand more of what's being (re)presented and why. I highly recommend it if you are not understanding of Portuguese culture.
The film's 5 minute opening consists of two things. The first is a narration of Pessoa's poem "The Bell in My Town." The second is a patient collection of interesting shots of various places and things set to a male gently singing a Fado song of seeming importance while two different guitars accompany.
The film has plentiful steady shots and back-and-forth closeups during conversations. There's something about seeing the actors deliver their lines to the fullest by way of careful facial expressions. Something that omits any need for an accompanying soundtrack that sets the mood/intent on its own and muddies the waters in the process.
Overall, this is a funny and interesting "mini-film" (directly?) based on a true story. I imagine people who are from or live in Portugal would appreciate it far more than this foreigner could, especially if they know the Coca-Louca story or atleast know of Fernando Pessoa.
Side Notes:
1) I enjoyed the sense making of the ending.
2) When his obvious/suspiciously evil twin (Álvaro de Campos-his heteronym) visits, tho. WTF? Like a young Johnny Depp in an old school suit.
3) I found myself listening to Fado music for the first time on SoundCloud a day or two after watching parts of the film again for this review. Interesting stuff. Somehow led me to a SoundCloud station.
4) If you want to understand the title, google "Coca-Cola murders union leaders" or give KillerCoke a visit.
5) Coca-Cola remained banned in Portugal for 40 years, only to be allowed in 1977.
Disclosure:
I read, after finishing the 2nd draft of this review, MUBI's Notebook Interview titled Waiting For the Hidden One: Eugène Green Discusses "How Fernando Pessoa Saved Portugal." I recommend it if you want to understand more of what's being (re)presented and why. I highly recommend it if you are not understanding of Portuguese culture.
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