Film Forum

(1979, Ruy Guerra) In 1960, the Portuguese army massacred 600 civilians in the Mozambiquan town of Mueda, triggering the armed uprising which eventually led to independence. Maputo-born Ruy Guerra, a central figure of Brazilian Cinema Novo, films the reenactment staged regularly in commemoration (where locals play both victim and oppressor), an “extraordinary creation of liberated popular culture” (Time Out). Considered the first narrative feature from independent Mozambique, it was lost for decades, rediscovered only 10 years ago, and recently restored. In Portuguese, with English subtitles. DCP restoration courtesy Arsenal, Berlin. Approx. 80 min.