Edgar Pêra (1960) is one of the most important and original representatives of the current generation of Portuguese experimental filmers. His work, however, has hardly been shown outside Portugal. Pêra’s recent and varied work consists of documentaries, and short and long film and video productions. World Wide presents a retrospective of his work with six films, including the world première of the film Guittarra com pessoas la dentro and a live performance.

Pêra's work has both political and philosophical dimensions. A number of his films relate to Portugal's recent history and the democratization process. In the film Eight-Eight (2002) for instance the central figure investigates the Portuguese neofascist scene. Arbeit Macht Frei? (1992) treats the question of whether work truly is liberating. Who is the master who makes the grass green? (1996), named after a famous Zen koan, is based on the ideas of the writer/futurist Robert Anton Wilson. In this short film Pêra tries to answer the question of how people perceive reality. Is reality a construct of the mind? A blurring of the border between fiction and reality, between dreaming and being awake is often present in Pêra’s work.

Pêra treats his subjects with considerable humour, which sometimes even borders on slapstick. Serious and farcical scenes often alternate. His imagery refers to old silent films and Russian and German prewar cinema. Pêra’s films are personal, critical, imbued with irony and satire, but are primarily poetical and expressive.

Biography
Pêra was born in Lisbon on 19 November 1960. In 1981 he was studying Psychology, but switched to Film at the Lisbon Academy. After graduating in 1984 Pêra started working in the film industry in several capacities, including those of producer, editor and screenwriter. Since 1990 he has directed a number of short and feature films.

Where and when?
Pêra will be present during his exhibition and is giving a talk on Saturday 12 June and Wednesday 16 June in the auditorium.