O Ornitólogo (L’ornithologue)

Filmed in the style of an old western in splendid decors, the first scenes introduce Fernando (wonderfully played by Paul Hamy), a solitary ornithologist venturing into an isolated region in order to observe rare and protected bird species. After his hero is carried off by an uncontrollable torrent of water, the director deals again the cards of his fantasies and obsessions by playing on the landscape. A series of encounters will mark the different stages of this initiation ritual : Far-East torture, a dangerous affair with a young shepherd, mystical exaltation & João Pedro Rodrigues (Phantom, To die like a Man) was awarded the prize for Best Director for this film at the last Locarno Film Festival.