A poetic and immersive exploration of Portugal’s cultural memory is set to take center stage at the 78th Locarno Film Festival. The Seasons Film is the solo directorial feature debut of French filmmaker Maureen Fazendeiro and offers viewers a cinematic excavation of stories buried deep within the southern Portuguese landscape of Alentejo.
Blending the intimate with the historical the film builds a layered portrait of a region shaped by revolutions resilience and generations of storytelling. Fazendeiro who has previously co-directed The Tsugua Diaries and co-written Grand Tour brings her distinctive voice to this project described as an “archaeological film” in both method and theme.
The Seasons Film Explores Portugal’s Past Through Voice and Vision
What sets The Seasons Film apart is its fusion of art and archaeology. Fazendeiro draws inspiration from the field notes and archives of German archaeologists Georg and Vera Leisner who studied megalithic sites in Iberia. These records are interwoven with local testimonies legends songs and amateur footage creating a textured cinematic tapestry of real people and forgotten narratives.
In her director’s statement Fazendeiro explains the film excavates not only the land but also the gestures and voices of Alentejo’s people. She describes it as a film about wars revolutions resistance and transformation. These themes come alive through visual storytelling and narration that shifts between the personal and the historical between myth and memory.
The cast features a mix of local performers and professional voice actors including Simão Ramalho Cláudio da Silva Ana Potra and Manuel Leitão. The cinematography by Robin Fresson and Marta Simões further enriches the film’s organic and grounded atmosphere offering breathtaking views of rocks flowers and ancient terrain that feels both untouched and deeply lived in.
Locarno Premiere and International Spotlight
Set to premiere in the main competition lineup at Locarno on August 11 The Seasons Film brings a unique voice to global cinema. The movie is a co-production between Portugal France Spain and Austria and is represented internationally by Square Eyes.
Locarno known for celebrating innovative and daring storytelling is the perfect launchpad for Fazendeiro’s work. The official trailer hints at a haunting yet beautiful experience with moments of quiet reflection lines like “Once upon a time” and visuals that invite the viewer to look closer listen harder and remember longer.
For those who appreciate cinema that is layered with cultural meaning personal storytelling and a strong visual identity The Seasons Film promises to be one of the most talked about art-house premieres of the year.
Whether you are drawn to its archaeological themes or its poetic portrait of a region’s soul this film is a reminder that the stories we share and the ones we forget are both part of what makes us human.
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