"Jose & Pilar", that was directed by the Portuguese director Miguel Gonçalves Mendes, is a result of a co production from El Deseo( in Spain), to which the so well famous Pedro Almodover is related to, from the O2 ( in Brasil), which is the self writer/director Fernando Meirelles ́ cinematographic company, and from the Jump Cut ( in Portugal ), to which Miguel Gonçalves Mendes is member. This documentary is the most intimidate portrait of the book-writer Jose Saramago and his wife Pilar del Rio ́s life, a story between Jose and Pilar and it deals also with their love to Life.
Within this film "Jose and Pilar" It is possible that we embrace these two wonderful people, who have an unique, particular perspective about the world in addition to the whole rush of their daily lives. The film follows all the process of book writing in " the elephant journey", that is from the first idea ( 2006) to its launch and from the first idea to the launching date of another book of his, which was "Cain " what will happen at the end of 2008 only, passing through Saramago ́s illness leaving him very fragile which had also delayed its writing process.
In three acts told we will acknowledge all the hard work of the couple through the rides and flights worldwide, in press conferences, meetings and autographs sessions . Nearly Saramago ́s Bibliotheque be inaugurated in Lanzarote, it was also when he began processing his new book "The elephant journey" In the second act, Saramago due to the stress his life had turn to be and overwork, Pilar called his agenda off because his husband mood was getting worse. Having been in the hospital for several months, during this period in which he had almost faced death. In the third act as he was already strengthened and he got on he vigorously start writing the book.
For several months certainly we aware his writing until the opening of a biggest exhibition ever done in our Nobel prize of literature . In 2008 his book is real edited in Brasil.During his return home, he had an idea to his new book "Cain".
Jose and Pilar is so a transparent documentary that we really get in touch with the real selves of these two people who love each other. Saramago is a very intelligent and good sense of humored man, with such a strong will to change the world. Therefore it is an optimistic documentary. Even though in his most difficulty moments he never looses the hope, his faith not even his sense of humor. Moreover Pilar del Rio is a very strong and determined woman, who always knew what her wishes were, the prime female defender of women rights. Dedicated wife,as she was,she loved him so much that she followed him everywhere. They were in a very closed relationship. They were made for each other. In other words Saramago without Pilar was not Saramago and Pilar was not Pilar without Saramago.
Due to more than 240 hours of shooting, Miguel reached at a 2 hours long documentary. The crew went with the couple to some countries such as Finland Brasil including Portugal. Miguel ́s camera is so fantastic that all the public felt inside the screen, standing side by side to Jose and Pilar and as soon as the film ends it seems we had lived with them more than 3 years time.Thus we view them as if they were our two friends. The film is edited in high quality conditions it has experimental moments and besides it has a good sonority band. Unfortunately on the 18th June this year Saramago passed away without having even/ever seen the final version of this documentary.
Crítica Cinema 7ª Arte www.cinema7arte.com
Within this film "Jose and Pilar" It is possible that we embrace these two wonderful people, who have an unique, particular perspective about the world in addition to the whole rush of their daily lives. The film follows all the process of book writing in " the elephant journey", that is from the first idea ( 2006) to its launch and from the first idea to the launching date of another book of his, which was "Cain " what will happen at the end of 2008 only, passing through Saramago ́s illness leaving him very fragile which had also delayed its writing process.
In three acts told we will acknowledge all the hard work of the couple through the rides and flights worldwide, in press conferences, meetings and autographs sessions . Nearly Saramago ́s Bibliotheque be inaugurated in Lanzarote, it was also when he began processing his new book "The elephant journey" In the second act, Saramago due to the stress his life had turn to be and overwork, Pilar called his agenda off because his husband mood was getting worse. Having been in the hospital for several months, during this period in which he had almost faced death. In the third act as he was already strengthened and he got on he vigorously start writing the book.
For several months certainly we aware his writing until the opening of a biggest exhibition ever done in our Nobel prize of literature . In 2008 his book is real edited in Brasil.During his return home, he had an idea to his new book "Cain".
Jose and Pilar is so a transparent documentary that we really get in touch with the real selves of these two people who love each other. Saramago is a very intelligent and good sense of humored man, with such a strong will to change the world. Therefore it is an optimistic documentary. Even though in his most difficulty moments he never looses the hope, his faith not even his sense of humor. Moreover Pilar del Rio is a very strong and determined woman, who always knew what her wishes were, the prime female defender of women rights. Dedicated wife,as she was,she loved him so much that she followed him everywhere. They were in a very closed relationship. They were made for each other. In other words Saramago without Pilar was not Saramago and Pilar was not Pilar without Saramago.
Due to more than 240 hours of shooting, Miguel reached at a 2 hours long documentary. The crew went with the couple to some countries such as Finland Brasil including Portugal. Miguel ́s camera is so fantastic that all the public felt inside the screen, standing side by side to Jose and Pilar and as soon as the film ends it seems we had lived with them more than 3 years time.Thus we view them as if they were our two friends. The film is edited in high quality conditions it has experimental moments and besides it has a good sonority band. Unfortunately on the 18th June this year Saramago passed away without having even/ever seen the final version of this documentary.
Crítica Cinema 7ª Arte www.cinema7arte.com