This final film directed by veteran cinematographer/director Ozualdo Ribeiro Candeias is a mixture between a promotional film about one of the most
important film archives of the world destined to not only attract film lovers but also attract then future investors for the Cinemateca Brasileira
(Brazilian Cinematheque), the largest cinematheque of Latin America and a work in progress back in the early 1990's when a change of headquarters was made.
It started out divided in several locations in the state of São Paulo, then in 1993 it was decided that the place should have one major location for archives,
theatres, libraries, bar lounge and all in one place. That's the exactly place where it stays on - located in the state's capital - where our film and television
memory is safe, guarded and available to the public.
A very bittersweet short documentary since not only it's a special place for me for countless reasons but also because I managed to witness its near
destruction, its terrible handling by government officials who allowed its failure in securing the cinematographic memory of a nation. When this movie was
released, the Cinemateca was moving to its current location and we can see that everything isn't fully completed, there were many film cans spread all over
the place, some were being restaured, others were about to be put in a special location where the film is preserved in the right temperature so it doesn't
disappear, and the digitalization of information was really starting uot. By 2022, it just reopened after almost two years closed after a drastic loss of
sponsors (private initiative) and cut of funds from the federal government, who seemed inclined to destroy the film memory from Brazil since those people in
charge do not believe in the power of arts and preserving history. If possible, they wanted to create an alternative version of history and facts. And worst:
two fires almost destroyed the whole place. One was a couple of years ago, very few things were destroyed since the majority of the archive already has
digital backup and digital formats; and the other was in 2021, the worst timing imaginable since no one was taking care of the place - there were few people who
stayed there to do the job without getting any pay. But they reopened a couple of weeks ago and it's on full speed with new film exhibitions and still
keeping our film memory strong and alive.
It was fascinating knowing about this film, seeing how things evolved at the Cinemateca all over the decades and to see it before the crisis. I've been
there in two occasions: in 2006, during a school project where I watched "Narradores de Javé" and I was amazed by the picture (but didn't wrote about it in here,
maybe someday); and in 2010, when the location was one of the several cinemas used by the city hall to promote an 24-hour cultural event that takes place in the
city once a year - too bad they don't use cinemas anymore for such event - and that's when I got the chance to watch "Across the Universe" (of which I wrote about
it right after seeing it). I didn't stay there for too long, didn't have the chance to see the whole premises but I thought the theatre was cool, comfortable
despite being a little reduced if compared to cinema chains out there. I almost went there when director Hector Babenco died and his funeral was conducted there.
Anyway, the place is amazing, receptive, it's located on a restaured building donated by the City Hall and it was previosuly a slaughterhouse back in the early
years of the 20th century. Those old red bricks are fascinating. So I have a special consideration for the place and when I heard the news that the
project was dying and about to disappear due to lack of funds and proper management from the political system I was deeply saddened. But I'm glad it still
resists. Let's hope they can keep up with their good work.
Mr. Candeias made a positive film that showed exactly the work and ideals of the Cinemateca, its importance in Brazilian history and also film/TV memory
and the vision its makers had when changing its location. It presented to viewers a special place where they could gather on, visit, watch movies and lectures,
buy books on films and know more about our film history. Everything happened according to plan, except the horrible changes that affected the place in those
couple of years. And if you didn't know, now you know. If you have the chance, please visit, it's a very special place. 10/10.
