The Embassy of Portugal, in collaboration with St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, will be screening the documentary As Duas Faces da Guerra (The Two Faces of War), today at 6pm. The screening of the documentary will be followed by a dialogue session with the participation, amongst others, of the film’s director, Diana Andringa. This event is being held in support of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

In 1963, the PAIGC – the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde – embarked upon a struggle for the liberation of these countries from Portuguese colonial rule. The PAIGC’s leader, Amílcar Cabral, had always made it clear that they were fighting colonialism and not the Portuguese people. And it was in Guinea-Bissau that the Army Movement that led to the Carnation Revolution in Portugal was born.

Ultimately, the conflict brought no hate, but friendship. The documentary, which was produced last year, attempts to find out how this could happen and projects the conflict as seen through the eyes of some of its direct protagonists, scattered throughout Guinea, Cape Verde and Portugal. In doing so it brings to the fore issues such as colonialism, reconciliation and intercultural dialogue.