TWO FRIENDS
ONE PATH
The journey of a friendship
On the path towards self-discovery
“I LIKE WHEN MY FRIENDSHIPS CREATE A PATINA.”
Prof. DeRose
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The “Um caminho” (One Path) present in the title becomes, therefore, a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery. We expand notions of self-knowledge, by contrasting both the perspectives of psychology and philosophy.
We visually express this path through the multiple walks – in several countries – shown in our documentary. They help us move from scene to scene, but mainly represent the universality of the path of self-knowledge. A very personal path yet is easier when it’s shared.
APPROACH
The story is told through the perspective of Luís Lopes as he strives to finish his debut book – and not lose his master’s degree. He reexamines both his life’s journey as well as the lessons he’s learned from Prof. DeRose, his mentor and friend.
As the film’s narrative progresses, we hear the timeless wisdom of Prof. DeRose, which is thought-provoking and surprising but, fundamentally, inspiring.
Inside us, there is something that has no name, that something is what we are.
José Saramago
APPROACH
We had the privilege of filming in some of the world's most beautiful bookstores and libraries. They represent not only our endless hunger for knowledge but also our impetus to preserve and share it. However, in our film, they create a contrast with a type of knowledge that we cannot find in any library, but within us: Self-Knowledge.
Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.
Johann Goethe
ANIMATION
The animations bridge the main narrative with the concepts of the film. They help illustrate complex themes such as Self-Knowledge, Mindfulness, Meditation and Emotional Reprogramming, in a didactic and immersive way.
PROTAGONISTS
PROF. DeROSE
Professor DeRose is a renowned Brazilian author, with more than thirty books published in several countries around the world. He has been actively teaching behaviour and Self-Knowledge for over six decades. He is the founder, and President, of the DeRose Method Network.
He has been granted a myriad of accolades and titles, including Knight Commander and Knight of the Grand Cross, by various military, governmental, humanitarian, cultural and philanthropic institutions.
This film is a personal one for me. It finds itself in the confluence between my experience as a DeRose Method teacher, and my background as an artist and filmmaker.
I feel truly humbled by the access Prof. DeRose and Prof. Luis have granted me, and grateful for the care – and patience – both have shown to me.
Themes such as resilience and self-emancipation have always inspired me, and are personified here by my two mentors: Prof. DeRose and Prof. Luís Lopes. Two humanists whom I could tenderly call father and grandfather.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
This project has already taken us more than three years to film. It highlights the beautiful bond between teacher and student. Something, I feel, has been banalised in the consumerist and immediatist world we live in today, where anyone can call themselves a “guru.” It is a relationship based on care, love, longevity and mutual respect that, in my view, can contribute to a more positive archetype of masculinity.
Despite almost twenty years of teaching Self-knowledge and Meditation, I can say that making this film has taught me valuable life lessons, and it is my wish that it could inspire the same in those who watch it.
EDGARDO CARAMELLA
Prof. Edgardo Caramella has been a DeRose Method teacher for thirty-five years, and an author of four books on behaviour, Nutrition and Lifestyle.
He has been a personal friend to Luís and Prof DeRose for over three decades.
MITÉ CAMPOS
Founder and Director of DeRose Method Premium. Mité is Luís Lopes’s wife and partner.
DUQUE RODRIGUES
Lawyer and Businessman.
Luís Lopes's Personal Friend and mentee for over twenty years.
Pedro Lopes is the son of Luís Lopes. He has a striking resemblance with Luis at his age.
In the film, he “plays” the role of his father on his path of self-discovery.
PEDRO LOPES
LOCATIONS
PORTO
LISBON
PARIS
LONDON
THE STORY
ANIMATION
Visually these animations take inspiration from digital collages. Where drawings, photos and archive videos blend with 3D elements and Artificial intelligence. This expresses the interaction between the past and the future with the timelessness of Human wisdom.
EXTERNAL NARRATIVE
Luís, our protagonist, runs against time to finish his book. His degree as a Master of DeRose Method is at risk.
INTERNAL NARRATIVE
Writing becomes a test of strength for Luís, which forces him not only to process his history but also to change his beliefs.
NARRATIVE OF LIFE
The biographical path both for Luís and Prof. DeRose is full of valuable life lessons. Lessons that surprise and intrigue us but, fundamentally, inspire us.
1. INTRO
Luís faces the blank page. His writing journey starts here. He questions his abilities and has existential doubts.
Prof. DeRose introduces the theme of Self-Knowledge by juxtaposing both the perspective of Psychology and the perspective of Philosophy.
PROF. LUÍS LOPES
Professor Luis Lopes has been a leading figure in the DeRose Method, for over 35 years, and is personally mentored by his close friend Professor DeRose.
He is renowned for his ability to promote cultural and humanitarian events – such as Mandela Day, Clean Party at Casa Música, conceptual film cycles, and various book launches – in several countries across Europe.
He has created the DeRose Festival Portugal, which has been running successfully for more than three decades. He is a key speaker of the DeRose Method in Europe and an expert in Emotional Reprogramming.
ANTÓNIO MATEUS
António Mateus is a renowned Portuguese journalist and author, who has interviewed six Nobel Prize winners and various international personalities, including two interviews with Prof. DeRose. He is the author of seven books, two alone dedicated to Nelson Mandela – a personality he followed for ten years.
He has received an honourable mention in the Human Rights Prize awarded by UNESCO.
António and Luís have been friends since 2005.
3. ORIGENS - LUIS
Luís shares his story: how the death of his father, while still young, gave him a new meaning in life. And Prof. DeRose reflects on death and its power, also, as a metaphor for rebirth.
VISUAL STYLE
The visual style oscillates between four threads: cinematic reenactments, archive, animation and observational footage.
In the beginning, the story emphasises narration and reenactments but gradually becomes observational. This represents both the transition between the past and present, lived by our protagonist, as well as a form of “mindfulness” – a theme in our film – where the audience can witness events happening in the “present.”
Reenactments are more stylised and experimental, a sort of “emotional realism”, whereas the observational footage is intentionally more raw.
We shot the majority of the footage handheld with occasional stabilization in parts that demanded a more contemplative approach.
2. A BOND THAT TRANSCENDS BARRIERS
Who is DeRose? And who is Luís? Renowned journalist, António Mateus, introduces our protagonists and the things that make them unique. Themes of friendship, teacher and students are also engaged.
5. TEST OF STRENGTH
Luís goes through a radical shift in his life. A change that brings enormous challenges and risks. Not only his dream of building a school for self-knowledge, but also the stability of his family are at stake. It is here that Luís find his knack for teaching Emotional reprogramming. Prof. DeRose reveals the theory of the Happiness Syndrome and the value of challenges in our life.
4. THE QUEST
Luís embarks on a journey of self-discovery, leading him to a very special book, in which he finds his vocation. Prof. DeRose shares not only his own process of self-mastery but also the risks one might face when pursuing one’s purpose. Also, DeRose introduces the theme of writing and the power of books in the collective unconscious.
10. THE BOOK
Luís finishes his book and reveals the meaning behind “one path” (um caminho) in the title of his book. He sends the book to Prof. DeRose.
6. ORIGENS - PROF. DeROSE
DeRose was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1944. Thanks to a synchronicity of events, and at the tender age of sixteen, he finds his purpose in life. He immerses himself in the study of Hindu Philosophy and makes a groundbreaking discovery. However, for almost thirty years, he faces enormous resistance and opposition from the establishment, especially during the military dictatorship in Brazil. Now eighty-years-old he reflects on the biggest lessons he’s learnt in life.
7. MEDITATION AND THE STATE OF GRACE
Prof. DeRose unravels the process of meditation by debunking some of its biggest misconceptions and stereotypes. Also, explains how intuition works and the state of grace that brings about self-knowledge.
8. MEDITATION IS POINTLESS…
After more than fifty years teaching personal development, Prof. DeRose reaches the unsettling conclusion that most meditation techniques do not work. He discovers that they are pointless without reeducation one's behaviour. Prof. Luís shows us how to reprogram our emotions/behaviour.
9. WRITING (ALL AT STAKE)
With his deadline approaching, and with his master’s degree in line, Luís overcomes himself to finish his book. He confronts his difficulty in exposing himself, and dives into his memories to “retrieve” himself.
Prof. DeRose shares his vast experience as a writer, and the role both intuition and the collective unconscious have in the process of writing.
12. EPILOGUE
Final thoughts on a friendship that took Luís further than he ever imagined.
DeRose shares a metaphor on the true state of Self-knowledge.
The one who doesn't know, and thinks he knows. He is foolish. Avoid him.
He who knows and does not know what he knows. He's asleep. Wake him up.
He who knows and does not admit what he knows. He is humble. Guide him.
He who knows and knows what he knows. He is wise. Follow him.
Unknown author
The soundtrack is dynamic and oscillates between contemplative tunes and bold pieces. Each song spurs textures or melodies that highlight or contrast what the characters are feeling.
The integration of ambient electronica with traditional instruments represents a conversation between different generations, represented by our protagonists. Luís’ theme, for example, has more pizzicatos and arpeggios, representing the jovial enthusiasm of a student. Whereas Prof. DeRose’s themes envelop us with orchestral tunes that are more full and rich, symbolising the experience and gravitas of a teacher. When both characters interact, both motifs also interact.
MUSICAL SCORE
Animations privilege “smart” tunes with more energy and movement. They have bells, pizzicatos, and loops over an electronic base. In the meditation section, for example, the loops move forward and back to mimic the mind’s behaviour in meditation: the mind moves in and out of focus. Here the melodies become progressively more minimalistic representing the removal of distractions and the increase in concentration.
10. A MASTER
We find ourselves at the ceremony in which Luís receives his degree. An emotional moment. Luís reflects on his goals in life.
PREVIOUS WORK
DIRECTION AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
Nicholas Emanuel Ruivo is a multidisciplinary artist based in London, UK. His international background – South Africa, Portugal, Brazil and the UK – exposed him not only to a diversity of cultures and customs but also made him sensitive to the commonalities we all share as Humans.
Emanuel’s path is both unique and eclectic. He has integrated his expertise in contemplative practices and Eastern philosophy within his Artistic practice. He studied Visual Arts and Design at the Belas Artes University in Porto, Portugal, and later Filmmaking at the Academia Internacional de Cinema in São Paulo, Brazil. During his journey, Emanuel has successfully become a meditation teacher for many other creatives. However, his true vocation lies within his artistic sensitivity.
Recently he has been prompted by the award-winning documentary filmmaker Safa Al-Ahmad to direct his talents towards filmmaking. He expresses his passion for storytelling through themes of identity, self-discovery and personal resilience, especially at the meeting point between a sense of place through a sense of Self.
POST PRODUCTION
Editor:
Federico Rozas e Nicholas Emanuel Ruivo
Animation
Garra Studio
