Nossa Senhora da Loja do Chinês (Our Lady of the Chinese Shop)
Ery Claver | Angola | 2022 | Portuguese with English subtitles | 98m
When a Chinese merchant brings to a neighbourhood of Luanda a peculiar holy plastic figure of Our Lady, a mourning mother will seek peace, a committed barber starts a new cult, and a stray child will look for revenge for his lost friend.
This bizarre urban tale will reveal a family and city facade full of resentment, greed and torment.
The Spotlight: Geração 80 programme offers a rare opportunity to engage the collective’s distinctive contribution to contemporary African cinema through films that reflect their commitment to innovative storytelling, visual experimentation and authentic representations of Angolan life and culture. Lookout for the additional screenings in this programme, My Semba and Air Conditioner.
Join Geração 80 for a special masterclass on Thursday 29 October.
Spotlight: Geração 80 is made possible through the support of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation UK Branch’ and their Gulbenkian Exhibitions Fund.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Geração 80 collective member and Our Lady of the Chinese Shop writer/director Ery Claver, hosted by Jali Film Weekender co-director Isabel Moura Mendes.
Ery Claver
Ery Claver is one of Angola's most versatile filmmakers.
He began his career as a cameraman, working on numerous television reports and documentaries, and in 2013 he joined Geração 80, deepening his style as a director of photography, culminating in the internationally acclaimed film "Air Conditioner", directed by Fradique, in which Ery collaborates not only with the script but also signs the Cinematography.
His filmography has guaranteed him presence in festivals such as the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France, Tarifa-Tangier African Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival.
As a director, he has signed several short films and in 2022 he premiered his first feature film, "Our Lady of the Chinese Shop", at the 75th Edition of Locarno Film Festival.