Exciting Premieres: Porto de Mós Journalists Unveil Two Documentaries at Doc Lisboa!

Groundbreaking Documentaries from Porto de Mós

Pedro Miguel Santos and Diogo Cardoso, journalists from the digital magazine Divergente, are set to present two remarkable documentaries at Doc Lisboa, Portugal's oldest documentary film festival, commencing this Thursday.

One of the featured films, “Por ti, Portugal, eu juro!”, directed by Sofia de Palma Rodrigues and Diogo Cardoso, focuses on the African Commandos of Guinea. These individuals, who fought under colonial rule and were Portuguese citizens until 1974, are often overlooked in historical narratives. The filmmakers note, "The PAIGC refers to these men as 'monsters'; Portugal labels them as heroes but has never recognized them as such."

Produced by Divergente, this documentary will have its world premiere on Saturday, October 19, at Culturgest in Lisbon, followed by a national cinema release on November 7.

Pedro Miguel Santos

Diogo Cardoso

The second documentary, “O Palácio de Cidadãos”, which will have its world premiere on Tuesday, October 22, at Cinema São Jorge in Lisbon, explores the workings of the parliament over the course of a legislative session. This film addresses critical issues such as housing rights, health, and employment and is expected to lead to a thematic television series in the future.

Director Rui Pires emphasizes a unique approach, stating, "I aim to view the Assembly of the Republic and its actors through the lens of real cinema, moving away from traditional journalism. I will reveal how the actions of deputies reflect societal conflicts, creating connections between citizens inside and outside the Palace."

The Doc Lisboa festival runs from October 19 to October 27 across various venues in the Portuguese capital.