Exclusive Trailer for Marta Mateus' Celebrated Debut, Fire of Wind, Produced by Pedro Costa

      Marta Mateus’ Fire of Wind, which has been featured at various film festivals including Locarno, New York, BFI London, Viennale, and Tokyo, was one of the most visually striking debut features I encountered last year. Cinema Guild has acquired the film, produced by Pedro Costa, and it will begin its theatrical run at NYC’s Anthology Film Archives starting this Friday, October 31, with Mateus making an appearance. In advance of the release, we are excited to present the trailer and poster for the film, which was produced by Mateus and Costa from Clarão Companhia, alongside Fabrice Aragno of Casa Azul Films and Richard Copans of Les Films d’Ici.

      Here’s the synopsis: “The feature debut of Portuguese filmmaker Marta Mateus presents a powerful blend of documentary realism and myth. Set in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal, which is Mateus' home, a community of grape-pickers engages in an open-air ritual of memory and defiance. During harvest time, tensions rise in the fields. Abruptly, a runaway black bull appears, forcing the laborers to seek safety in the branches of oak trees. As the threat lurks below, they share bread and wine, recount memories and dreams, and reflect on the history of their landscape as well as past and ongoing struggles. As night approaches, time stretches. The wind brings a heatwave that scorches. A fable-like film rich in language and significant movements, FIRE OF WIND introduces a unique voice in contemporary cinema, showcasing an artist deeply committed to political issues, rooted in Portugal’s celebrated filmmaking traditions while creating a distinct new direction.”

      “Mateus stands out as a filmmaker whose profound grasp of form, language, gesture, and poetry is intricately linked to her political dedication to the working class in her region,” said Edward McCarry of Cinema Guild. “Her debut feature represents a vital perspective in contemporary cinema. We are honored to be involved in its release.”

      Check out the exclusive trailer and poster below.