Torres & cometas

Guimarães, founded in the ninth century A.D., is in northern Portugal. From this town, Afonso Henriques fought against the Spanish ruler and declared independence in 1128. Guimarães – now a world heritage site – was the first capital of the new kingdom. Last year, the town was European Cultural Capital, along with Maribor in Slovenia.
In this context, several films were made, including Centro histórico by Aki Kaurismäki, Pedro Costa, Victor Erice and Manoel de Oliveira. Towers & Comets also fits in this list. Together with sound man Didio Pestana, Gonçalo Tocha circles the mediaeval town like a comet. Against the background of the city walls with their imposing battlements, in which the text ‘Portugal was born here’ is hewn, he dives into a lively past filled with saints, historical key figures and above all music – a lot of music – from string orchestras to party bands with accordions.