18/11/2008 - “I explore love and the family. But making films in Portugal is still difficult”

Manuel Mozos’ new film, 4 Hearts, is the only Portuguese title in competition at the Estoril Film Festival. The film is produced by Rosa Filmes manager Maria João Sigalho, who handled production on João Pedro Rodrigues’ latest and forthcoming works.

Cineuropa met with Mozos and Sigalho at the prestigious Estoril Casino after the local premiere of the film, to discuss Mozos’ latest family drama and the current situation of the Portuguese film industry.

Cineuropa: 4 Hearts is the story of a reconstructed family, but it is also a love story, in which the destinies of the four characters continually meet and collide.
Mozos: It’s true that the film is about love and intergenerational relationships. What I wanted to show is that love is the result of a series of coincidences. Sometimes, we think we have everything we want, or know what is best for us, but then we find ourselves faced with unexpected situations that completely turn our lives upside down.

This is what happens to the characters in the film: Gabriel, for example, is in his fifties and happy with the safe routine of his second marriage; his world collapses when his wife Madalena confesses she is having an affair. The latter is a woman in her forties who refuses to accept the inevitable passage of time – she thinks she can start a new life with Miguel, a young man about ten years her junior. But even Madalena is forced to reckon with the unpredictability and chance that lie behind every relationship, as is Diana – Gabriel’s daughter from his first marriage – who tries to manipulate the destinies of the other characters, seducing Miguel.

The film looks at relationships between different generations.
Mozos: Yes, each character represents a different generation, each with its weaknesses and strong points. Diana embodies the naivety of young people in their twenties. In his thirties, Miguel is frustrated and still a little indecisive. Madalena is in the midst of a mid-life crisis and cannot bear her unexciting daily life, while for Gabriel all that matters are the security and well-being of his family.

Why did you choose the title 4 Hearts?
Mozos: It’s primarily a reference to the playing card. Playing games is a constant in the film; all the characters play games in their own way. For Gabriel it’s a form of relaxation, when he plays fado music or plays football on the local field. For Madalena it’s a drug; she has a gambling habit and sinks deeper into her vice as her romantic woes intensify. Miguel plays in his spare time, at home with his game boy, to combat boredom, and at the gym, where he does climbing. Finally, Diana plays with Miguel’s feelings. The four hearts of the title also refer to the film’s four protagonists and their feelings.

Is it difficult to make films in Portugal?

Mozos: Yes, it’s rather difficult for directors to find producers who want to produce their films, and the difficulty lies in locating funding.

Sigalho: Yes, it’s very difficult, especially for young directors who are heavily disadvantaged in this country, unlike in other countries such as France.

Portugal produces an average of ten films per year. The problem is that there are lots of directors but very little money. We consider ourselves lucky, 4 Hearts found funding quickly compared to many other films. The difficulties lie in locating funding. It’s like being trapped in traffic; the project is there but you’re forced to endure the obligatory waiting period, which can last several years.

Do you think there are prospects for change and improvement in the situation for filmmakers in Portugal?
Sigalho: Directors are starting to make compromises; they are trying to reach agreements with producers in order to solve the financial problems and make good films. Making co-productions with other countries is certainly a solution but we’re still a long way from having a strong film industry.

The situation must change, it’s essential; we need to give directors the chance to make their films. Film is part of a country’s prosperity and culture. A thriving film industry is a source of strength and prestige for a country.