"Maria José Maria" Horror Short Film

The short film MARIA JOSÉ MARIA is a historical film framed in the genre of psychological terror, with hints of dark comedy and absurd humor.

Synopsis:

The short film MARIA JOSÉ MARIA is a historical film framed in the genre of psychological terror, with hints of black comedy and absurd humor with approximately 15 minutes. It is a free adaptation of a true story, a horrifying crime that shook Portugal in the middle of the century. XIX. This interpretation will explore the themes of mental illness, forced celibacy, religious devotion and the rooting of the patriarchy of the time, based on the criminal investigation film model.

This campaign is intended to support the independent short film project MARIA JOSÉ MARIA, the new film by the Scalabitan director Chico Noras. In partnership with the 50cuts Cinematographic Association, Chico Noras proposes, with this film, to revisit a macabre history of the 19th century. XIX through the look of black humor and absurdity, in an unusual piece of psychological terror. A film that escapes the canons of Portuguese author cinema, too directed at a very specific audience, but which is also not intended as “hollywoodesco”. A proposal that embraces Portuguese history and our religious folklore and reorders them with a shiver and a good laugh, paying due homage to our land.

In this sense, the production of the film avoids state funding and seeks support from national cinema lovers who want to make a difference, assuming a low-budget production model. The project already has some logistical and financial support, but a portion of the budget is still needed to finance the art department (wardrobe, characterization, props, among others) so central to periodic film productions. With the money raised, we can carry on this story and portray the intriguing period with the necessary rigor.

It is intended to shoot the film from July 27 to August 1, 2021, in the city of Santarém. The choice of the Ribatejo capital is due, not only because it is the director's hometown, but mainly because it has a very rich immovable cultural heritage, which allows the creation of a credible historical environment and, simultaneously, a Gothic look, which meets to the neo-expressionist pretensions of the film. Emblematic spaces in the city, such as the Igreja da Graça, Fonte das Figueiras, Igreja da Misericórdia and Palácio Landal, will be the stage of our film.

We will be forever grateful for your support. Thank you very, very much!

And of course ... Holy Engrácia!

About the author

50 Cuts aims to produce and support projects in the area of cinema and contribute to the film literacy community, having produced four short films "Red Queen", "The Female", "Calypso" and "Sophia, the poet-sailor", and co-produced the short film “Why do you hate your brother?”. At the same time, in partnership with the Municipality, Juntas de Freguesias and with cultural associations, it held cinema cycles, promoted conversations with filmmakers and made known short films by young Portuguese filmmakers.

Headquartered in Setúbal, since 2017, 50 Cuts has presented a regular cultural program aimed at the general population, namely the children and youth public (schools from the preschool to the 3rd cycle), senior population (Espaço Maioridade of the Junta de Freguesia de S.Sebastião e Centro Parish Community of S. Bebastião) and citizens with disabilities (APPACDM Setúbal).

It continues to collaborate with the Municipality, namely in the “Meeting of Directors and Film Producers”; at “Cinema na Rua - Cultura em Movimento” and at the “Film Fest –Festival of Cinema Musicado Ao Vivo”. In 2020, it promoted the initiative “Cinema ao Ar Livre”, in partnership with the Junta de Freguesia de Alcochete. Since 2019, he has been a member of the FPCC. He is currently in the pre-production phase with three short films.

Budget and due dates

It is intended to shoot the film from July 27 to August 1, 2021, in the city of Santarém.

Project Schedule:

• Pre-Production: January 25th to July 20th

• Production / Shooting: 27 to 31 July and 1 August

• Post-Production: August 9 to December 27

• Festival Circuit: year 2022

• Distribution in cinema: year 2023

The money raised will be used to finance the art department (wardrobe, characterization, props, among others) so central to period film productions.

• Wardrobe: 1000 €

• Characterization: 1400 €

• Props: 300 €
• Special Props: 200 €

• Others: 100 €

The project already has the institutional support of several local entities, namely the Municipality of Santarém, the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Santarém and the Escola Superior Agrária de Santarém. In addition, it holds a promise of distribution, in a cinema circuit, by the distributor Films4You.

Images