Pedro Costa's 'Dans la chambre de Vanda' Explored in New Publication
A new book from Éditions Capricci examines Pedro Costa's film 'Dans la chambre de Vanda', shot over three years in the Fontainhas shantytown on the outskirts of Lisbon. Costa insists the work is not a documentary about daily life there; rather, he discovered fiction pervading the community through residents' stories and micro-events. The film captures the shifting reality of Fontainhas, threatened by demolition, by allowing inhabitants to become characters and by following how each constructs their own space—Vanda in her room, others in alleys. Costa cites Ozu as a major influence, reflected in static shots where figures enter and exit frame, never to reappear. The volume includes a conversation with Costa by Cyril Neyrat and 'Mutual Films', an image-based traversal of Costa's oeuvre by Andy Rector. Text by Dork Zabunyan.
Key facts
- Book titled 'Pedro Costa, Dans la chambre de Vanda' published by Éditions Capricci.
- Film 'Dans la chambre de Vanda' shot over three years in Fontainhas shantytown, Lisbon suburbs.
- Costa states the film is not a documentary but reveals fiction in residents' stories and micro-events.
- Fontainhas faces constant threat of demolition.
- Residents were free to become characters; Costa says 'it comes from them, not from me'.
- Film uses static shots in homage to Ozu, to whom Costa says the film 'owes everything'.
- Volume includes conversation with Costa by Cyril Neyrat.
- Includes 'Mutual Films', an image-based traversal by Andy Rector.
- Text written by Dork Zabunyan.
Entities
Artists
- Pedro Costa
- Cyril Neyrat
- Andy Rector
- Dork Zabunyan
- Vanda
Institutions
- Éditions Capricci
Locations
- Fontainhas
- Lisbon
- Portugal
Sources
- artpress —