Lisbon movie fans are getting ready for the main independent movie festival in Portgual  ”Indie Lisboa”, which takes place between the 5th and 15th of May. The festivals main objective is to promote films produced by independent directors throughout the last year and that have not been exhibited in Portugal.

As expected from every reputable movie festival, Indie Portugal has national and international sections, the genres range from documentaries to fiction, from animation to experimental films. New and interesting categories and areas of exposition have been created to display the films that will be presented. “Pulso del mundo” – World Pulse- is a section that will project movies that deal with problems that affect humanity such as pollution, environmental issues, resources wasted at war, hunger  -being one of the biggest problems the world faces-, etc

Indiejunior is a very attractive section of this festival if we take in account that film producers are very interested in the production of films for children. This category is a huge open window for children film makers to present their movies, not to forget to mention that this is one the favorite areas for kids from 3 to 13.

Indiemusic is the section for music lovers, where a colossal amount of short films, documentaries and movies about concerts and bands can be seen. This section is a great opportunity for music movie film makers and producers to meet  for it unites enthusiasts of the music genre like in no other festival.

But the section that arouses the largest interest of the visitors, is the retrospective exhibition called  ”Independent Hero”. This section is a homage to the creators of independent movies  for they are they  forefathers of non conventional artistic space and films. This year will count with the presence of Shinji Ayoama, Jay Rosenblatt, Michael Glawogger, Jua Zhang-ke, Nobuhiro Suwa, Edgar Pera, Johnnie a, Jose Luis Guerin,  along with  important motion pictures from the new “German film movement”,  contemporary  Argentina movies, independent Romanian films as well as movies from the Sundance film festival, – a worldwide established independent movie festival- where talents like Quentin Tarantino and the Coen Brothers emerged from

Japanese director Shinji Ayoama, winner of two prizes at the Cannes festival in 2000 for his film “Eureka” is an example of the importance of these independent movie festivals  where cinematographic masterpieces of the highest level are projected and scripts of an unbelievable aesthetic beauty remind us that films are art and not only business.

This festival specially opens its doors to new producers and film students who can gain access to the event and meet  a variety of mainstream and powerful film producers that are constantly searching for new projects and young creators, who are impatiently awaiting to divulge their works, listen and hear and contrast experiences and perhaps take a step further in their film making career.

For more information: http://www.indielisboa.com/

Nancy Guzman

Cinema is one of the wonders of human creation, thus, if you are in Portugal having a good time in Lisbon accommodation you can’t miss this festival and attend each of its interesting episodes.

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Translated by: Marc
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Have you heard the words “Optimus Alive”? No? This young festival has only been around for four years but it was already named in 2009 “one of the top 12 festivals in Europe” by the prestigious British music publication NME. This year’s festival will take place on 8, 9, and July 10 on the Alges seafront, near Lisbon. The festival has attracted considerable attention for its good organization, for being a great value for the money, and especially, for organizing a flawless and varied lineup from the first year.

So what you can expect to see this year? Well, if you keep up with trends in fashion you know that grunge is undergoing an amazing renaissance, and guess what, it is in music as well. This year, Alive features concerts by Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Faith No More, and the Deftones. It is a perfect time to take a cousin or younger sibling to the festival, so they can share these memories with you.

But Optimus Alive has earned its reputation not just because organizers know how to bring together artists of the past as if they were curators of rock museum, but also know how to put together the best and most interesting up to the minute acts.

There will be performances by LCD Soundsystem, Florence and The Machine, Gogol Bordello, New Young Pony Club, the Gossip, Peaches and Steve Aoki …. And many other groups …. Prepare to discover new artists, and pay tribute to the grunge era. Tickets for three days are only 90 euros and available through FNAC. Organizers have done everything possible to make a balanced lineup, which includes both classics and newest music.

Bring your friends for a summer holiday in Lisbon, to see this young festival before prices go up, and it looses freshness. Getting the best lodging is easy, rent apartments in Lisbon and get ready to enjoy the best of the summer festivals.

Undoubtedly one of the key trends of 2010 is green. Not in the sense everyone’s wearing green this year, but definitely in the sense that anything “green” is suddenly cool- sustainable, organic, GMO free or non-polluting, zero carbon footprint- hey it’s all cool. Because we need it, Mother Earth is about to punish us forever if we do not take care of her. But how can we take care and have fun at the same time?

One of the best options is to go to a green festival, such as the Boom Festival near Lisbon. The psytrance festival occurs every two years and sees the world through green glasses. The festival has a 17 page manifesto that explains how the festival will become zero impact, on an ecological level.

If you think of the typical festival, they can be quite the environmental strain: 25,000 people, with all their food, garbage, and hygiene needs, transportation … basically as much as any village, but in a very small space which isn’t necessarily set-up for so many people. Boom festival has taken several steps to balance out the impact of these instant towns.

All water used during the festival is recycled through a biological system that uses algae to purify it, and then what has not evaporated is returned to the ground. The energy for sound systems, lights, action, transport and construction has been generated by generators that use recycled vegetable oil. In 2008 they used more than 45,000 litres of recycled oil to prevent emissions of 117,000 kg of CO2 environment. At the same time they are using photovoltaic cells and wind turbines to supplement energy produced by bio fuels. As far as physical installations are concerned, they are using recycled or sustainable materials whenever possible.

The ethics of green camping has always been “leave no trace.” But of course, there is a one trace which is difficult to eliminate because it is one that you produce in situ, and not so easy or comfortable to carry in your backpack: you all know what I’m talking about…25, 000 thousand people, seven days, make for many tons of … In the Boom festival the have instituted the use of composting toilets which turn these human leftovers into a rich fertilizer. This not only saves water and doesn’t pollute, it gives a valuable source of food back to mother earth.

To prevent traffic jams and reduce emissions not only of the event it, but also those implied by the displacement 25,000 thousand people, they have organized a public bus from several places in Spain and Portugal to bring festival goers. To encourage people to take advantage of this mode of transport, the Boom Bus passengers can enter the camping one day before the rest of the public, in order to choose the best places to camp, and spend a relaxing day before the start of festival. To use this service, find a Boom ambassador in your city. To soften your return to the normal world, rent comfortable apartments in Lisbon, and rest a couple of days after the festival.

People from Argentina, unfortunately receive an unfair bit of criticism, except when people go nuts for Leo Messi! But don’t forget about the beauty of the Patagonia, their admirable literary tradition and of course, tango, the dance of passion. From May 26th to 30th, Lisbon comes alive for its sixth annual international tango festival, making it a great occasion to tell you a bit about this dance, which is every bit as sensual as the Argentinean people.

Tango, like all dances, has steps, rhythms and postures that one should learn, though it is not a rigid system. The male is the guide of this improvised waltz in which the lovers appear slide fluidly around the room by chance or perhaps driven by instinct. The woman supports herself on one of his shoulders, and is always on the tips of her toes, despite wearing elegant high heels. Her feet move frenetically following the breath of her partner, who avoids her gaze and holds her well beneath the shoulders. The steps are short or long, energetic or sultry, the music penetrating, and the silhouettes indelible. I think all of these contrasts make tango a fascinating dance to see and watch.

For me, although it is quite different, tango is perhaps even more interesting to see than flamenco, another sensual and expressive dance. In both dances, the postures are relaxed yet upright; the steps firm and grand yet light. I would go to Lisbon in a heartbeat to take an authentic class, and enjoy the different dances of the couples present. Doesn’t it strike you as the height of drama?

International Tango Festival

There are various varieties of tango: tango, milonga and the waltz. The milonga campera, sometimes referred to as the habanera of the poor, is often lighter than the tango and has colourful lyrics that tell melancholic love stories. The bandoneon, a large accordion- like instrument of German origin, similar to a concertina, is the principal instrument in these melodies.

Other dances from the Americas include the chamarrita, the choro, the candombe, the habanera and there is even something called the finish tango. It is important to consider that the origins of these dances have been influenced by migratory waves, and have influenced each other, fusing African and European traditions. Now that you know a bit about tango, perhaps you would like to find out why a city like Lisbon organizes a festival in its honour. Perhaps because it’s irresistible.

Take a look at the program, which includes world renowned orchestras and professors, demonstrations and varied spectacles, but only if you want to have a very sensual evening. Take advantage of this singular chance to take your lover to Portugal, and rent affordable and intimate Apartments in Lisbon.

Festival of Almada, Lisbon

Companhia de Teatro de Almada

Av. Professor Egas Moniz
2804 503 Almada
Tlf.: +351 212739360
http://www.ctalmada.pt/
Theatre festival with presentations in some places of Lisboa as well

Rock in Rio, Lisbon

21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 may of 2010.
Park da Bona Vista
http://www.rockinrio-lisboa.sapo.pt/

Super Bock Super Rock, Lisbon

Sun 28 Jun 4pm; Fri 3-Sun 5 Jul 5pm

Festival Site, Lisbon
Passeio doe Herois do Mar
Located just north of the Vasco da Gama Bridge on the west bank of the Tagas River.
Tlf.: +351 21 031 2700
http://www.superbock.pt

Indie Lisbon

From 23 of april until 3 of may 2010

Avenida Guerra Junqueiro, 13, 3º Esquerdo
1000-166 Lisbon
Tlf.: +351 213 158 399
http://www.indielisboa.com/
An internacional festival of alternative cinema