Por Este Rio Acima/Up This River
— a documentary project on northern Portuguese folklore and the river ecosystem in an immersive media art installation
Abstract
Rivers in northern Portugal have nurtured a distinct rural community with a vibrant oral tradition of recounting folklore and tales about creatures such as lost souls, enchanted Mouras, witches, devils, and werewolves. The project, titled Por Este Rio Acima (Up This River), is a creative documentary aimed at preserving and sharing this unique northern Portuguese folklore. Set in the regions along the River Douro, Tua, Rabagão, and Tuela, the documentary features interviews with local inhabitants who possess knowledge of the oral tradition. With its cinematic visuals of eerie yet fantastical landscapes, the documentary seeks to unite the natural and imaginative realms, emphasising the importance of the ecosystem and its influence on human legacies. The film will be presented in an immersive media art installation using projections. By combining moving images of each façade, the project aims to provide an artistic perspective of the rivers as remembered, along with the wild environment envisioned by the local inhabitants — rooted in the folklore they share, extending beyond what is visually apparent. As significant geographical features, the four rivers highlight a cultural approach closely tied to water. Consequently, the complex audiovisual presentation of nature, rural habitat, lifestyle, and memories may evolve into an experience that invites the viewer’s multi-sensory participation. Through cinema, installation, and intangible cultural heritage, the project aspires to safeguard the river ecosystem from a human perspective.
Short Biography
Agnes Meng (China, 1991) is a documentary filmmaker and PhD student in Media Arts at Lusófona University in Portugal. She graduated from the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University and the “Docnomads” Erasmus Joint Master programme. Agnes has a background in filmmaking, journalism, and ethnography.
