EDGAR PÊRA: RETROSPECTIVE - 10 NOV

Who is the master who makes the grass green? | 7 min.This film crosses the perspective of neuro-philosopher and researcher, Robert Anton Wilson, with the work of artist João Queiroz. It fosters meditation about the conditions of human perception and concepts of reality, normality and social consensus. Based on the notion of the "reality tunnel" – i.e. the manner in which each individual retains only fragments of this information paraphernalia, in the world of chaos, viewing it differently - Who is the master who makes the grass green? extends these assumptions to reflect on the possibilities of dissonance in cinema, and its specific capacity for creating reality.



Does work set you free? | 23 min.Addressing issues such as work, freedom or alienation, Does work set you free? is a "documentary-essay-enquiry" based on the different meanings resulting from the various responses to the provocative question that underpins the film’s title, built from a multiple dynamic of opposition or correspondence between the contributions of Paulo Varela Gomes, António Vaz Pinto, Paulo Borges, Agostinho da Silva, António Bracinha Vieira, Herman José, José Luís Judas, Ruben de Carvalho, the Irmãos Catita, the Neves Corvo miners, the demolition workers in the Chiado neighbourhood and a group of workers from the Alentejo.


Zombietown 23 | 29 minIn an exercise of overlapping between a discourse on the undead, by the Shaman of the underground, Terence McKenna, phrases taken from Fernando Pessoa’s Book of Disquiet and poems by his occasional accomplice, the magician Aleister Crowley (The Beast, 666) Zombietown 23 is divided into various parts, that frame different ideas about the life experiences of contemporary people. The film therefore abounds in references to mechanisms of domination and control, interwoven with notions such as hypnosis, authenticity and the unconscious, which suggestively submit themselves to the film’s repetitive rhythm.


The 1000 Eardrums Konspiracy  | 13 min.The voluble and changing project, The 1000 Eardrums Konspiracy, aims to frantically manipulate the viewer’s sensory field and perceptive powers, using changes in speed and temporal subversion of the images, in a field of action constituted by a raucous soundtrack, which inundates the dynamic reality of raves, parties, clubs and all kinds of techno-scenarios.
WHO IS THE MASTER WHO MAKES THE GRASS GREEN?, 1996 DOES WORK SET YOU FREE?, 1993 ZOMBIETOWN 23, 1998 THE 1000 EARDRUMS KONSPIRACY, 1997
Original idea, director, editing and production: Edgar Pêra Participation: Robert Anton WilsonDrawings: João QueirozDirector of Photography: Laurent SimõesAssistant: Catarina CampinoSoundtrack: Luís SaraivaFormat: 35mm, black and white/colour, 7 min.

Scriptwriter, director and editor: Edgar Pêra Music: Tiago Lopes, "Fado dos Preguiçosos” (Irmãos Catita) Director of Photography: Laurent SimõesCast: João Sodré, Lígia PereiraProducers: Catarina Santos, José CruzProduction: Núcleo de Cineastas Independentes, Valentim de Carvalho Format: video, black and white/colour, 23 min.

Director: Edgar Pêra  Texts: Terence McKenna, Fernando Pessoa, Aleister Crowley, Frederic Nietzsche, anonymous writersCinematography, sound: Daniel NevesSound Supervisor: Tiago LopesAssistants: Catarina Ramalho, Eva Mota, Hugo Freitas, Rita FrazãoPicture editing: João DiasEditing: João GomesCast: Rita Stormhead, Miguel Borges, Marina Albuquerque, João Sodré, André Campino, Dora Naked Mind, Aldara Bizarro, Sofia Bizarro, Sofia Gonçalves, Maria José Pêra, Henrique PêraAssistant for directing actors: Carla BolitoMusic: Orkestra Lusoh-GalaktikaProducer: Miguel Gomes da CostaProduction: Akademya Lusoh-Galaktika Coordination: João MilagreFormat: video black and white/colour, 29 min.

Cast: Alexandra Afonso, Catarina Ramalho, Cécile Heushling, Daniel Neves, Gonçalo Luz, Hugo Freitas, Inês Henriques, João Caldeira, João Gomes, João Milagre, José Fontainhas, Mafalda Barreto, Manuel Rodrigues, Pedro Adolfo, Susana Pascoal, Tiago Pereira, Aldara Bizarro, André Campino, Carla Bolito, Dora Ferreira, J.P. Simões, Marina Albuquerque, mc2ice, Miguel Borges, Mónica Samões, Rita Só, Rui Martiniano, Sofia Aparício, Sofia Gonçalves, Jeremy, J.J., Nexo, New Skill’z, 187 Squad, Tania, Yen Sung.Guest artist: Terence McKennaFormat: video, colour, 13 min.