Catarina Alves Costa

Catarina Alves Costa

58 (1967-01-01)
Oporto, Portugal

Catarina Alves Costa is a Portuguese documentary filmmaker and anthropologist. In 2000, she co-founded with Catarina Mourão the production company, Laranja Azul.

Most Known for...

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Senhora Aparecida 1994 (5.7)

In Aparecida, 50 Km from o’Porto, the atmosphere surrounding this years preparation of the yearly festivities is tense: the new priest aims to discouraje the "Promise payers" from doing it having themselves carried in open coffins through the village untill th chappel of the Appeared Lady. Superstition against Theological Argument, fidelity to the vows or reinterpretation… The conflict becomes unavoidable. It’s the local identity and its inhabitants identity that’s in stake. If this type of processions were common in the last century on the north of the Iberian Peninsula, this one, will probably be the last in Portugal. At the village of Senhora Aparecida the festivities of August are set. The main wooden bier that will carry the Saint may be 15 metres high. It is now being assembled and decorated. Those who escaped death now celebrate life. The Lady redistributes the power she's been given.
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Swagatam 1998

Lisbon has the second largest community of Hindus in Europe. This film portrays this community, focusing on a family originally from Diu, who then emigrated to Mozambique and then, in 1976, to Lisbon. The film portrays the contrast and conflict between this group of Diu families, low caste with the Lohanas group, the merchants caste. A new temple is being built, however in the courtyard of his house the family Carsane still makes its parties and alternative rituals ....
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Houses For The People 2014

The film tells the story of SAAL, Local Ambulatory Support Service (1974 - 1976), a movement launched after a revolution by a group of architects who responded to the struggle on the street by the poor residents who in the hot summer of 1974 shouted "Housing Yes! Tents ni! ".