Jonathas de Andrade
In Northern Winds
Art
Synopsis
Northern Winds
Growing up, visual artist Jonathas de Andrade was fascinated by the jangadeiros (sailors) operating the traditional fishing boats in his hometown of Maceio, Brazil. In Northern Winds, we follow him as he visits this community of workers to film their craft (which now serves tourism) for a new artwork.
Intrigued by their skilful way of rolling the sailboats up and down the beach, De Andrade tries to capture their ingenious choreography. Far from romanticising their way of life, however, he creates a testament to their precarious existence. In a country where unequal power structures are painfully and at times violently apparent.
In coproduction with: Basalt Film
Credits
- Character
- Jonathas de Andrade
- Director
- Maria Ramos
- Country
- Brazil
- Duration
- 17 min
- Year
- 2024
With a touch of magic, visual artist Jonathas de Andrade bears witness to injustices in contemporary Brazilian society.
Jonathas de Andrade
Jonathas de Andrade (1982) is a visual artist from the Nordeste region of Brazil. The region’s capital Recife, where he is based, often forms the starting point for his installations, films, and photography. In his works, he regularly collaborates with fellow citizens and the marginalised communities of his home region.
What makes De Andrade’s work unique is the playful and imaginative way in which he documents and critiques injustices, such as gentrification and socioeconomic marginalisation. His art shines a light on those who are too often overlooked by society – in a style that is sharp, humorous, and enigmatic.
Acclaims
- Solo exhibitions at Pinacoteca (São Paulo, 2023), Foam (Amsterdam, 2022) and Centre Pompidou (Paris, 2021)
- Represented Brazil at the Venice Biennial 2022
- Artworks in the Guggenheim and MoMA collections
Northern Winds has been featured since October 2024 at various (inter)national film festivals and events, including:
- Arte Non Stop Festival, AG
- Cinefest Sao Jorge, BR
- New York Brazilian Film Festival, US
There is also collaboration with cultural institutions and educational organisations:
- Eye Film Player
- Online platofrm of FOAM
- Holland Festival platform HF Digital
At Eye Filmmuseum we spoke with Jonathas de Andrade — on art, film, responsibility, and mystery.
Ammodo Docs released the short film Northern Winds about you and your work. How was this experience?
It was quite a surprise. I’m usually behind the camera and preoccupied with activating people who become characters in my films or photographs. Ammodo Docs meant that for the first time I was not in control of the narrative. Instead there was a filmmaker, Maria Ramos, following my process. This was challenging but really wonderful to see. In Northern Winds we see the first moment where I approach a community. I’ve never shared this moment before because it really is the beginning of a process. For this work I follow the jangadeiros, or sailors, who operate traditional fishing boats in a town called Maceio, where I was born.
Director
Maria Ramos
Maria Ramos is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Her films have won awards at festivals around the world, including IDFA, Visions du Réel, DOK Leipzig, Taiwan International Documentary Festival, CPH:DOX, IndieLisboa, WATCH DOCS and Rio de Janeiro IFF. For her entire body of work, Ramos received the 2013 Marek Nowicki Prize awarded by the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights.