As a continuation of this important collaboration, and with the customary curatorship of Fernando Galrito, director of the Monstra Festival, we present two new works: Fado Lusitano by Abi Feijó and Uncle Tomás, the Accounting of Days by Regina Pessoa.

The highly acclaimed and well-known author and animation film director Abi Feijó signs the screen print bearing the same title as the short film – “Fado Lusitano” (1995). The film, with original music by Manuel Tentúgal and the voice of Mário Viegas, portrays the period of the Age of Discoveries with caricatural humour, a particularly expressive moment in the history of the Portuguese people.

Abi Feijó, “Fado Lusitano”, Screen Print, 50x70 cm, 100 copies

The screen print presents an ocean populated by imaginary monsters. The black background accentuates the movement of the waves and the “terrible” figures, lending vigour to the composition. A somewhat theatrical scene, belonging to our collective imagination.

“Portugal has a wandering heart, an adventurous spirit, a sorrowful soul and an obedient body.”

Regina Pessoa, a leading author and director of animation cinema, is also a painter, printmaker and illustrator—techniques she employs in her cinematic work. The film “Uncle Tomás, the Accounting of Days” (2019), which gives rise to the screen print of the same name, resulted from experimentation with printmaking techniques. Repeatedly awarded, the film won the prize for Best Short Film at the Annie Awards, the so-called “Oscars” of animation (2020).

Regina Pessoa, “Uncle Tomás, the Accounting of Days”, Screen Print, 50x70 cm, 100 copies

The cinematic work centres on Uncle Tomás, a somewhat eccentric character inspired by a member of Regina’s family. In the screen print we see a pair of a child’s arms and hands, surrounded by a pair of an adult’s arms and hands, travelling together—a symbolic moment of the important guidance provided during childhood.

“Through my films, I made peace with my childhood.”

We would like to remind you that, in addition to these two new works, the Portuguese Animation Collection includes three other emblematic images: Ice Merchants, Nayola and Percebes. See them here.