Africa-Press – Cape verde. Angolan director Zezé Gamboa is on Santiago Island preparing the film “Aleluia,” a fictional film inspired by the true stories of Cape Verdean fishermen who were stranded at sea for several months.
In an interview with Inforpress, Zezé Gamboa explained that the inspiration for the story came many years ago, when a friend told him, in São Vicente, about the real-life incident that inspired the script.
“The inspiration for this story came from a friend who told me this story many years ago in São Vicente, and with the support of director and filmmaker Júlio Silvão, I contacted several fishermen who had gone through this adventure,” he said.
The director clarified that “Aleluia” will not be a documentary, but a fictional film with actors and based on real events.
“We blended several stories of fishermen, some who were on trawlers and others in boats. These stories helped shape the script,” the filmmaker stated.
During the research process, Gamboa visited several fishing villages, such as Pedra Badejo and Porto Mosquito, collecting testimonies from men who survived and others who lost companions at sea.
The filmmaker reiterated that the script “is entirely fictional and borders on the fantastical,” emphasizing the importance of the film’s special and visual effects.
Regarding the title “Aleluia,” Zezé Gamboa said it’s a name the boat will have and that the choice reflects the Catholic faith of the Cape Verdean people.
From his perspective, he emphasized, there are two sacred things in Cape Verde: Mass and soccer.
The film, described by Gamboa as one about “resilience, combat, and survival,” still faces financing challenges.
The director revealed that the budget is around $1.7 million or $1.8 million, but that the team is still far from achieving that goal and is “struggling to achieve it.”
“Aleluia” is an international co-production by producers Terratreme (Portugal), Dolce Vita (France), Gamboa & Gamboa (Angola), Silvão Produções, and KS-Cinema, both from Cape Verde.
All filming on land will take place on Santiago Island, primarily in Cidade Velha, but also in other locations, including Praia.
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