Memories of Captivity

Memories of Captivity (2005, directed by Guilherme Fernandez and Isabel Castro) is the first filmic experience of Hebe Mattos and Martha Abreu (academic direction), with a screenplay based on the book "Memories of Captivity: family, work and citizenship in post-abolition" by Ana Lugão Rios and Hebe Mattos. In an artisanal way, the film was constructed from LABHOI’s (Laboratory of Oral History and Image) oral archives, then composed mainly of audio (recorded on tape) interviews since mid-1990s with descendants of slaves from the state of Rio de Janeiro, of an iconographic research and of one video footage made in the community of São José da Serra in 2005. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FILM.

As well as the editing of the interviews in the book, the documentary is divided by thematic chapters: Africa in Brazil, Time of Captivity, Family Ties, Visions of Liberty and Dialogue of Times.

The film was very well received by groups linked to Oral History from various corners of Brazil and the world, having been exhibited in Mexico, USA, Canada, France, Austria, Senegal, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, among other countries.

Memórias do Cativeiro (Memories of Captivity) | 2005 | Runtime: 42 min | Direction and Editing: Guilherme Fernandez and Isabel Castro | General Coordination and Screenplay: Hebe Mattos | Academic Direction: Hebe Mattos e Martha Abreu | Research: Carlos Eduardo Costa, Fernanda Thomaz, Thiago Campos Pessoa.