Ala-Arriba! (film)


Ala-Arriba! is a 1942 Portuguese romantic docufiction set in Póvoa de Varzim, a traditional Portuguese fishing town.
Dealing with ethnographic matters, it may be considered as an ethnofiction. The film was directed by Leitão de Barros, and stars real fishermen as themselves in order to give a realistic view over traditions and social behaviours of the community. Focusing the cultural context, it continuously shifts from documentary to drama, by means of a fictional narrative. Contemporary to Robert Flaherty, Barros is with him one of the first filmmakers to explore docufiction and ethnofiction as forms of dramatic narrative.
It premiered at São Luis Theatre in Lisbon.

Synopsis

It focuses on maritime tragedy of the town and a forbidden love between Julha and João Moço, from different fisher castes, in a community where mixed-caste marriages were not allowed and dating without parent's assent was seen as a disgrace to the family, not only in respect to women, but also men.

Historical background

The script of Ala-Arriba! was written by the prestigious Alfredo Cortez, based on the book O Poveiro by António dos Santos Graça, focusing the cultural aspects of the town.
The film was financed by SPN of the Ministério das Obras Públicas during the Estado Novo period. The town was seen, by the regime, as an example of Portuguese culture.

Festivals

NOTE: Ala-Arriba! was the first Portuguese film to win at this festival an international award