KICK-OFF OF SPECIAL FILM SCREENINGS WITH DAVID LYNCH AND PORTUGUESE CINEMA


The Santarém International Film Festival (FICS) officially begins its countdown to the 2025 edition. With less than three months to go until the major cinematic event, the WARM-UP sessions are coming to the Teatro Sá da Bandeira with a program that previews the best of international and national independent cinema. 

The special sessions leading up to FICS 2025 kick off this March, showcasing iconic works that reflect the diverse spirit of the festival. This initiative allows the audience to gradually immerse themselves in the cinematic atmosphere that will transform the city into a cultural hub in the coming months.

Must-See Films in the WARM-UP Sessions of FICS 2025

“The Straight Story” by David Lynch: An Emotional Journey Through Deep America

Director: David Lynch

Country: USA

Year: 1999

Duration: 111 minutes

Screening Date: March 15, 2025

Time: 9:00 PM

This contemporary classic, nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, reveals a surprisingly intimate side of the acclaimed director David Lynch. Moving away from the surreal universes of Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks, Lynch presents the touching story of Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old man who travels over 500 kilometers on a small lawnmower tractor to visit his ailing brother. Based on a true story, the film offers a sensitive portrayal of aging, family reconciliation, and the beauty of simplicity. International critics consider it one of the most accessible and emotionally impactful works in Lynch’s filmography.

“A Lei da Terra”: A Landmark of Post-Revolutionary Portuguese Cinema

Director: Grupo Zero (Alberto Seixas Santos, Serras Gago, Fernando Lopes)

Country: Portugal

Year: 1977

Duration: 67 minutes

Screening Date: April 26, 2025

Time: 9:00 PM

This essential work of Portuguese cinema documents a transformative period in the country's recent history. Made just three years after the Carnation Revolution, the film by the Grupo Zero collective captures the social struggles of rural workers in Alentejo during

the implementation of the Agrarian Reform. "A Lei da Terra" represents a crucial moment in Portuguese cinema, when film became a tool for documentation and social intervention. Screening this work allows the audience to rediscover a key title to understand not only the country’s history but also the evolution of Portuguese cinema.

Democratizing Cinema: Affordable Tickets for All Ages 

Following the philosophy of making quality cinema accessible to all audiences, FICS maintains an inclusive pricing policy:

Regular Ticket: €5

Member Ticket: €2.50

Youth Ticket (up to 30 years old): €1

Member Youth Ticket (up to 30 years old): FREE

Tickets can be purchased  here. 

FICS 2025: A Festival Expanding Across Ribatejo

The FICS organization also announces that WARM-UP will not be limited to Santarém. In thecoming weeks, the dates and locations for additional screenings in several cities across the

district will be revealed, consolidating the festival’s role as a cultural dynamo throughout the

region. Stay tuned for more updates!