War veteran’s past haunts the screen in emotional redemption drama

The crew of Golden Goblet Awards nominee movie "The Scent of Things Remembered" shared their insights into its creation on Monday (June 16) at the ongoing 27th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Directed by António Ferreira, the co-production of Portugal and Brazil centers on an elderly veteran of the Portuguese Colonial War (1961-1974) in Africa who is forced to live in a retirement home.

There he confronts the ghosts of his past, the shadows and trauma of his war experience, while trying to find comfort and dignity in aging and loneliness.

Ferreira applies his iconic style to this exploration of the fragility of people's situations, the inevitability of death, and the desire for redemption.

Through the use of sound, lighting variations, and dialogue, the emotional film reveals the deep wounds in the protagonist's heart.

"Many young Portuguese people were sent to war at that time and they considered Black people as their enemies," said Ferreira. "I wanted to portray what happens to these people today, as they are getting old and big social changes have taken place in the country. "

He was moved to learn that many cinemagoers cried during the movie’s global premiere at the film festival on Sunday, affirming his hopes to create films that truly touch people.

Well-known Portuguese actor José Martins gives an impressive and delicate interpretation of the emotionally tortured veteran, Arménio, in the film.

Martins admitted that it was challenging for him to depict Arménio as his own character is almost the opposite in terms of life experiences and personality.

It took him around eight months to explore the character's traits. From April to May in 2024, the crew spent six consecutive months living in a nursing home, where Martins exchanged ideas with the director.

Actress Mina Andala plays the Black caregiver who treats Arménio in the nursing home. Dealing with his initial hostility and anger as she coaxes back his memories, she ultimately revives his dignity, independence and freedom.

"The consequences of the war many decades ago have shaped many people's lives," said Andala. "The relationship between the Black woman and the veteran in the movie is subtle. I love the way director Ferreira told the story."

Ferreira expressed his gratitude to the film festival for selecting the movie for the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition.

He revealed that he will write a new film story in Shanghai, with the ensuing project likely to be filmed in the city.