05/10/2006

After an enthusiastic reception at the latest Cannes Film Festival (see news), Transe [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], the new film by acclaimed 40-year old director Teresa Villaverde, finally opens today on five screens, distributed by Lisbon-based company Atalanta.

With her usual way of looking at violent situations, Villaverde is back with the story of a young Russian woman (Ana Moreira) who leaves her native San Petersburg in search of a new life but ends up trapped in a web of undesired events: prostitution, degradation and human trafficking. The trip from Russia to Portugal ­ passing through Germany and Italy ­ becomes a descent into hell, portraying a Europe where wars between nations gave place to wars between people.

The director explains that the plot is based on the words of Saint Teresa: Hell is a dog barking outside. "This is the beginning of the 21st century and the dog barks everywhere. We didn¹t get ride of torture, slavery, genocide. The lead character of this film looks Hell in the eyes, she is very close to it."

Therefore, Moreira's character seems to be the incarnation of a lay saint submitting herself to a painful fate. Her hypnotic performance is seen as one of the strongest of her still short career, which started in 1998 with The Mutants. "Some filmmakers spend their entire life seeking an actor with whom they can have a relationship like this one, such a perfect communication. I was lucky to meet Ana", said Villaverde after her third collaboration with the 26 year-old actress.

Transe ­ a co-production between Clap Filmes (Portugal), Gémini Films (France), Revolver (Italy) and Hermitage Bridge Studio (Russia) ­ is the only European title hitting the screens today. The other releases are Brian de Palma's Black Dahlia (distribution: Lusomundo), Frank Coraci's Click (Columbia TriStar Warner) and Steve Oedekerk's Barnyard (Lusomundo).