
Cinetrā

Cinetrā

Duas Vezes João Liberada (original title)
Directed by
João, an actress from Lisbon, as she stars in a biopic about Liberada, a gender-nonconforming figure persecuted by the Portuguese Inquisition in the 18th century. The film's production becomes a battleground as João clashes with the director over how Liberada’s legacy should be portrayed. These tensions deepen as João's dreams are increasingly haunted by Liberada's ghost, blurring the lines between past and present. When the director succumbs to a mysterious paralysis, leaving the film unfinished, João is left to navigate the unfolding chaos. She faces unanswerable questions, not only about the film's future but also about her own connection to Liberada’s spirit and story.
Berlin International Film Festival 2025
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2025
Melbourne International Film Festival 2025
Cast: June João, André Tecedeiro, Jenny Larrue, Caio Amado Soares, Eloísa d'Ascensão, Tiago Aires Lêdo, Alice Azevedo
Writers: June João (Writer), Paula Tomás Marques (Writer)
Cinematographer: Mafalda Fresco
Production Designer: Eloísa d'Ascensão
Editor: Jorge Jácome
Sound Designer: Marcelo Tavares
Direction team: Helena Estrela Vasconcelos (Assistant Director)
Producers: Cristiana Cruz Forte, Paula Tomás Marques
Production: Fúria de Boi, Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola