The 23rd edition of the Mais Alentejo Awards took place on October 25, at Teatro Pax Júlia, in Beja. The ceremony coincided with the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the magazine Mais Alentejo, which since its foundation has promoted the identity, culture and development of the region.
One of the moments of the night was the distinction of the film The Place of Dreams, directed and written by Diogo Morgado, with interpretations by Áurea and Carlos Areia in the main roles. The work was recognized for its approach focused on human values and for its rootedness in the Alentejo landscape and culture.
In exclusive statements to Alentrium.pt, actor Carlos Areia shared the emotion of seeing his work recognized in a project that he considers deeply significant.
“This film was very special to me, for several reasons. It addresses themes that today seem forgotten — friendship, love, the importance of family, the need we have for each other. These are values that have been lost, and that this film brings back with great delicacy and truth”, he said.
Areia also highlighted the personal importance that this role represented in his career, especially for the opportunity to take the lead at a late moment in life.
“At the age of 80, I had the opportunity, for the first time, to be the protagonist of a film. It was a surprise, a kind of reward for a lifetime dedicated to art. There are those who say that the first 20 years of your career are the most difficult, but I would say that the first 80 are the ones that are hard. Arriving here and receiving this role was, for me, a huge achievement”, he shared.
About the connection to the Alentejo, the actor was emotional and left a reflection on the impact of the region on his way of being.
“I’m from Lisbon, the son of an Algarvian and a father from Coimbra. I feel like I have a little bit of all the regions of the country in me. But the Alentejo has its own strength, a silence that teaches, a tranquility that transmits values. It is a school of humanity. I am grateful that this film also allows us to pay homage to this identity, this wisdom of the Alentejo that is so often ignored in the rest of the country”, he concluded.
The distinction to O Lugar dos Sonhos reinforces the role of the Mais Alentejo Awards as a stage for valuing regional culture, promoting voices and narratives that contribute to the recognition of the human and social heritage of the Alentejo.
