Terra Franca / Ashore

As dawn breaks over Vila Franca de Xira, a suburb of Lisbon on the banks of the Tejo, Albertino Lobo puts on his waterproof fisher pants and sets off to work. On water, he was born. On water, this charismatic man feels at home – even if the day’s catch is meagre again. In the evening Albertino returns to his wife, Dália, and their two daughters. These days, the whole family becomes increasingly agitated, as the marriage of the eldest daughter is approaching. Coming from the same place as her protagonists, director Leonor Teles has accompanied the family for over a year. She initially focuses her attention on Albertino, to then gradually expand her gaze to the women. With the lyrical portrait of a family from her hometown and the targeted use of music, Teles’ film conjures up the most Portuguese of all emotions – saudade - and shows life as it is: filled with joys, fears, hopes and dreams.... An emotionally coloured cinematic pleasure.