This documentary was born with the purpose of celebrating a story, but above all, of giving form to a journey of faith marked by simple beginnings and continuous growth.
The structure of the film was based on a script organized into different moments of this trajectory, from its origins in Brazil, through its arrival in Portugal, to the consolidation and expansion of the Missão Evangélica Novo Israel over the years. However, the creative process was shaped during production itself, through the people, testimonies, and moments that were captured.
The entire project was conceived, directed, filmed, and edited by me, as a fully authorial process, where I followed every stage closely and intentionally, from the initial idea to the final version.
The direction of the interviews played a central role in building the narrative. Instead of guiding responses in a rigid way, I defined key points to be addressed, allowing each person to freely develop their testimony. This approach brought greater naturalness to the accounts, revealing genuine emotions and personal perspectives that enriched the documentary.
During filming, my direction was based on listening and observation, subtly guiding each moment to maintain coherence with the theme without interfering with the authenticity of those sharing their stories. This balance was essential to create closeness and truth throughout the film.
In the editing process, this material became the core of the creative work. It was through the combination of interviews, archival footage, and present-day images that the narrative took shape. The rhythm, pauses, and selection of moments were defined based on emotion and the connection between stories rather than a purely chronological structure.
Visually, the documentary builds a dialogue between past and present, combining memories and contemporary images to reinforce the continuity of the mission over time.
From a directorial perspective, there was a constant focus on a cinematic approach, from framing and composition to the use of light and movement, always serving the story and its emotional impact.
More than an institutional record, this documentary is a human and collective portrait, built from real voices, lived experiences, and a shared journey.
In the end, this project represents not only the story it tells, but also the process through which it was made, intimate, intuitive, and guided by listening, sensitivity, and the intention to capture something true.
Through this project, I learned that directing is not about controlling a story, but about creating the space for it to reveal itself.