TO MAKE A LIVING – Stories of women’s working life

To Make a Living – Stories of women’s working life is a collaborative film by Patricia Leal and Vera Abreu and the result of an oral history project.  Inspired by the book “As Mulheres do Meu País” by Maria Lamas, published between 1948 and 1950, this ethnographic work intends ton ‘preserve’ the living memories of Vila do Bispo’s ageing population, focusing on women. Despite being traditionally portrayed as housewives, they actually played an active role, participating in the agricultural and fishing activities that distinguish the Vila do Bispo’s (Algarve, Portugal) municipality’s main economic activities. Collecting these stories is of pressing importance, since this is a group that, when it disappears, takes with it a whole collection of memories and intangible heritage that must be preserved.

Concept, Directing, Camera & Editing credits