António and Catarina

synopsis

In one of the gloomy rooms in his flat, seventy-year-old Augusto casts shy glances at the camera behind which stands twenty-five year old Cristina, the film’s director. For three years she repeatedly visited him to record their interviews, during which they used the assumed names of António and Catarina. This game with identity, and mainly with the nature of their mutual relationship, is reflected in small talk, where the topics turn to diverse themes, including masturbation and gender stereotypes. Augusto/António is usually the one talking as well as the one in front of the camera, which records his image in dark details. Cristina/Catarina stands behind the camera and asks questions.

“Drawn by the vigour of an old enchanting man, I made this film without knowing where it would take me.” C. Hanes

biography

Romanian-born Cristina Haneș (1991) is a student of the prestigious DocNomads study program for documentary filmmakers. Thus far, she has made only a few short and medium-length films. She is currently working on her first feature length film, which is a Romanian and Indian co-production. Her António and Catarina was one of the films competing in the Pardi di domani section at this year’s Locarno Film Festival.

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