VIDEO March 4 highlights of fantastic films at Fantasporto
Sala 1
15.00
SR/OE
Sisa- Jun Robles Lana- 118’ (Filipinas) - drama, guerra, História
After the colonizing of the Spanish, the Americans came to the Philippines. However, atrocities against the population sparked a revolt. In a village of
women, whose men had already died in the war, an enigmatic woman appeared, whom they decided to call Sisa. Relations with the American troops
in the area with the American citizens seem peaceful. And everything apparently is heading towards war when glimpses of peace appear. But can
oppressed peoples forget revenge? With the fabulous Hilda Koronel in the lead role. Director Robles Lana is well known in Fantasporto, where he
presented ‘About Us but not About Us’ in 2022, and has already won more than 40 international awards.
17.15
SR
Don’t Call me Mama- Nina Knag -106’ (Noruega)
A teacher, struggling with her husband's past infidelity, the current mayor, works with immigrants and bond with one of them, the young Amir. She
takes him home to prevent him from being sent away. Soon, a love affair between the two will hide truths and reveal lies. A tale about opportunism
and compassion. An excellent performance by the lead actress in this film, which was selected for the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where Pia Tjelta
won the Best Actress Award. This is the director's first feature film.
19.30
SR/OE
Papa Buka – Dr. Biju - 102 ́(Papoa Nova Guiné/India) - Drama, ecologia, bio-diversidade
Two Indians. A photographer, Romila, and a historian, Anand, set out to discover the stories of soldiers from their country who died in Papua during
World War II, fighting alongside the Australians and the British. One of them is Romila's grandfather. Their guide is Papa Buka, a wise old man who
introduces them to the dance, music, tribes, biodiversity, cultural heritage and, above all, the suffering of a war that was not theirs.
This film is Papua New Guinea's Oscar nominee, co-produced with India and directed by one of India's most prestigious filmmakers, whose work has
won awards at multiple festivals, including Fantasporto. Three times winner of the National Indian Film Award, member of the Oscar selection
committee in 2015, his first film was “Saira” (2007), screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Other features followed and earning over 20 awards all
over the world in numerous festivals such as Shanghai, Cannes, Moscovo, Chicago or Tallin. In Fantasporto with “Painting Life” (2018), he was
granted the Critics Award. He is also known for “Birds with Large Wings” (2015), “Sound of Silence” (2017), winner of the Cincinatti Film Festival, and
“Trees Under the Sun” (2019), awarded as Best Film in Toulouse. “Invisible Windows” (2022), screened in Fantasporto, preceeded this “Papa Buka”
(2025).
21.30
CF/OE
#Iwilltellyouthetruth- Keisuke Toyoshima- 118’ (Japan) - EUROPEAN PREMIÈRE - (?) SR– reality shows, thriller
In the super popular interactive TV show, “Full House Days”, the "Speakers" are randomly selected from the Internet program "#iwilltellyouthetruth"
and confess some hidden secrets regarding famous murder cases, and they get money from the audience depending on how surprising their stories
are. And the stories are going much bloodier...The objective is to reach one million and a half viewers. The damaging effects of the social media. The
director is known for his extensive work in TV and on film. Selected by Bifan Festival (Korea).
Sala 2
15.00
CM FANTÁSTICAS 1
National Pension Ho-Seung Son – 5’50’’ (Coreia do Sul)
Selected by the prestigious Bifan Festival, this short film by Ho-Seung Son combines imagination with a national trauma dating back to 1948, when
the population of an island was wiped out. Now, the population must survive until the age of 90 in order to be rejuvenated back to the age of 20
years old. But, in fact, the population never reaches that age... The director Ho-Seung Son has more than 30 awards and international selections,
notably at the Chicago and Delhi film festivals. He also presents “Eumbok Restaurant MSG” in competition at Fantasporto 2026.
Primus, the Robot Max Delagrave- 19’ 44’’ (Fra)
In the future, when robots have replaced humans to reduce the ecological footprint, Helena, a nun, leaves the order to try to discover whether these
machines, which are supposed to have no soul, actually possess something deeper. When she confronts unexpected truths, her faith is challenged.
Based on the work of writer Karel Kapek, the inventor of the word “robot”.
Boiling Point- Ying Ze- 13’27’’ (China)- Parallax
An influencer presents a new miracle kettle that heats water much faster than others and will try it out in front of everyone. To do so, she needs
volunteers to wear the “cap of honour”. The chosen one is a poor devil. Surrounded by misery, the influencer talks about the joy and honour of doing
that experiment. A satire on modern life.
Shitfly – Julian Park 15’ (EUA)
A delivery man lives in his lorry, enslaved by a voice that controls everything. His desire is to return home. Outside, the air is unbreathable. A portrait
of our possible present. Director Julian Park won an award at the San Diego Film Festival for his short “Invencible Boy” in 2019. With Jonnie Park
starring.
Poeira Mateus Lana - 20’17’’ (Brasil)
Teacher Adalberto, heartbroken, aspires to be a poet and awaits a publisher’s response to his work. But the book is rejected, destroyed into many
pieces of paper, all sucked up by his robot vacuum cleaner, which gathers them into new poems from the fragments and dedicates them to Alexa, the
virtual house’s voice assistant. Adalberto and the robot then join forces and disrupt the world of literature, and their own as well. Mateus Lana is a
Brazilian screenwriter and director.
The Wanderer Gwai Lou- 15’30’’ (Malásia)
Men have always killed each other. But now they have become more efficient. Civilisation has been destroyed. The survivors, in the forest, watch its
rebirth. Although the air is toxic, there are already children breathing it. A woman walks through the forest and frees a child slave. Their relationship
awakens the remnants of a humanity that was thought to be dead. Selected for the Nantes and Trieste film festivals.
Eumbok Restaurant MSG Son Ho-Seung 4’29’’ (Coreia do Sul)
Restaurant owner Kim On loses his sense of taste as punishment after receiving several negative reviews. To avoid being judged by others, he opens
a ritual food service, in other words, for the celebration of the dead. Cursed, he must survive by cooking a new dish every day for 365 days to
appease a spirit. Director So Ho-seung has won over 30 awards and international selections, notably at the Chicago and New Delhi film festivals. This
film was selected for the Rhode Island International Film Festival, among others. The director also presents “National Pension” in Fantasporto 2026.
Total: 97’
17.00
CM FANTASTICAS 2
Kamarade Garance Valere, Valentin Okoundou, Hubert Chauvaux, Alice Bourget, Louise Laurent, Fleuriane Le Guillou- 8’ 18’’ (Fra)
On board the Soviet Union’s space station, the newly arrived astronaut immerses himself in Russian iconography, listens to music and plays chess
with robot Katerina. After an accident, the solution is to seek help from the Americans. A production coming from the famous Rubika animation
school.
Kill Ada – 13’35’’ (China)
In the game Peaceful World, housewife Ada rebels against players invading her home, sparking a fight that drives her to escape into a freer digital
realm. The latest short film by director Kunyu Cai, whose “Rest in Peace” screened at First and Golden Horse, recognising him as one of China’s most
original short filmmakers.
Necrosectos- Javier Lozano- 9’53’ (Esp)
Strange noises in the house. A woman investigates. It turns out the house is full of insects. They too are very unusual. Who will win? Selection of the
Lusca Fantastic Film Festival.
Teetan- Hadi Rezayati Charan 15’ (Irão)
A young boy seeks help to find his shepherd father, who stayed in the forest with the dogs, but did not return home like the sheep. However,
everyone is afraid to go into the forest in the middle of winter because they know that Teetan demands a sacrifice and the wolves will enter the
village. An excellent example of the earthly forces that move simple people who live in rhythm with nature. This is Hadi Charan’s second short film.
The first was “Azheh”, shown at the Sundance Festival in 2023.
Void/Vacio- Javier Cano Larumbe- 13’ (Esp)
A young boy gets out of bed because he cannot sleep. In the living room, his parents argue and prepare the separation. The boy says there is
someone in the house. But he is the only one who sees the danger. This is the director’s third short film, after “Saphi” (2022), with two awards at the
Red Rock Festival, and “Interferências” (2018).
Magai-Gami Norihiro Niwatsukino- 9’ (Jap)
Two girls go into the forest to see if there are dangerous creatures there that could eat them. The rule to avoid death is to never stop staring at
them. This director is known for the short film “Strawberry Jam” (2010) and the feature film “Suffering of Ninko” (2016).
Poor Marciano Alex Roy- 7’ 27’’ (Esp)
Marciano is an unfortunate boy who struggles to find his way in life, constantly being teased and bullied because of his name. An animated film that
was an official selection of the Ottawa Film Festival.
Payback- Wu Jian 8’ (China)
On a street, a woman violently attacks a man. Then that same man violently attacks the woman. The cycle repeats itself in the name of all those
who have died. A game of violence and a puzzle for the spectator to decipher.
Total : 86’
18.45
RETRO Noruega
Thelma - Joachim Trier- 118’ (Nor)- 2017
In the mountains, in the snow, a man points a gun at a child, but hesitates. Thelma is a young university student who studies in the city and is
looking for her place in society. Anya is her best friend. But with epilepsy, a controlling and religious father, and a mother in a wheelchair, Thelma
returns home. What mystery does that family hold? Joaquim Trier is the director and screenwriter. He is known for ‘Reprise’ (2006), ‘Oslo, August
31st’ (2011), ‘Louder Than Bombs’ (2015) and ‘Thelma’ (2017). ‘Thelma’ was Norway's choice for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. With
‘The Worst Person in the World’, Trier was nominated for an Oscar. The feature film ‘Sentimental Value’ won the Grand Jury Award at the Cannes
Film Festival in 2025.
21.15
CF
The Dollmaker - José Maria Cicala 100’ (Argentina) - Horror
In a small town where nothing ever happens, several women disappear. The town's forces search for the culprit. The main suspect is Tomás, who
works in a video store and takes care of his mother. He is currently in love with Argentina, a young barmaid. An example of the best Argentine horror
cinema, where each character holds multiple mysteries. This is the fourth feature film by director and screenwriter Cicala, known for “Shadow of the
Cat” (2021) and “Sola” (2021), winner of the Best Independent Film Award at the Montreal Film Festival.
