Me and My Best Friend (2022 Film)

Me and My Best Friend (Luzelese: Eu e Minha Melhor Amiga, Esmeiran: Yo y Mi Mejor Amiga, Visegan: Eu e Meu Mellor Amiga, Tosuton: Jo i Meu Millor Amiga) is a Paretian historical biographical film based on Me and My Best Friend: Recollections of Francisca Fraga, an autobiography of the life of Francisca Fraga Palmeira, ex-wife of Carlito Palmeira and best friend to Roberta II. The film takes place over most of Fraga's life, and mostly focuses on the deteriorating friendship of Francisca (Úrsula Rebelo) and Roberta (Rita Albuquerque) and Francisca's escape from life in Functionalist Paretia. The film was released in all four languages of Paretia and in Gaullican.

The film is scheduled to release at the 83rd Montecara Film Festival in October and release internationally in November. It has retrieved praise, specifically Rita Albuquerque's performance as Queen Roberta II, depiction her descent into authoritarianism and paranoia as the Great War progressed.

Eu e Minha Melhor Amiga
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Ximena Vielma
Written by	Cézar Carriço
Screenplay by	Dèbora Masip
Based on	Me and My Best Friend: Recollections of Francisca Fraga
Produced by	Emanuel Vega Raimon Homedes
Starring	Úrsula Rebelo Rita Albuquerque Isaac Henriques Roque
Cinematography	Martim Ferreira
Edited by	Virginia Cunha
Music by	Abrahán Nievez
Production company	Oriental Studios
Distributed by	Oriental Studios (Paretia)
Release dates	20 October, 2022 (Montecara) 5 November, 2022 (Worldwide)
Running time	156 minutes
Country	Paretia
Languages	Luzelese Esmeiran Visegan Tosuton Gaullican
Budget	€5 milliion

Plot summary

The beginning takes place when Francisca is 13 years old. It is set at the death bed of Roberta II's brother, Prince Américo, who had suffered a severe case of influenza. Here Francisca tries to comfort Roberta. Francisca tells her that there are things to look forward to, and that her brother will be there to watch over her and will be proud. Roberta II will now take on the role of heir of the monarchy of Paretia, her father tells her. A year later Roberta and Francisca are talking in the Royal Palace, when the royal guards come and get Roberta and take her to her father, King Lazarus. Francisca is confused as to why and asks the guards, the guards tell her that Roberta will be sent to join the military academy. In the Palace Lazarus tells his daughter that he concerned for the state of the world and will begin to prepare her for being ruler of Paretia. Francisca and Roberta are separated for years, only meeting on a yearly basis. A short scene between Roberta and Francisca takes place when they meet for Francisca's 16th birthday, Francisca tells Roberta of her dream of becoming a leading figure for Paretian women, she tells Roberta that she should too, Roberta agrees.

The time period fast forwards to 1918. The state of the world has drastically changed over the years, worrying King Lazarus. Francisca asks the King how her friend is doing. Roberta II is now at school studying political philosophy, he tells Francisca that Roberta is in Gaullica as part of her studies, he says she is meeting with the monarchs of the country. A few weeks later, Francisca is studying in an engineering school, she plans to become a train engineer. Roberta returns from her trip, carrying advertisements for the Parti Populaire, the functionalist political party lead by Rafael Duclerque. Roberta tells Francisca about her trip to Gaullica, and how she become close friends with the Prince Albert IV. She also tells her that she visited the political rallies of both left-wing and right-wing parties, but she particularly was interested in the Parti Populaire, the far-right party. She gives Francisca the advertisements that were given out at one of the rallies, she also tells her she was able to meet with the party's leader, Duclerque.

Francisca visits the Royal Palace again, she sees Lazarus, who's health had begun to deteriorate, limping. She helps him walk, he is going to see his other son, Martim. (WIP)

Cast

• Úrsula Rebelo as Francisca Fraga Palmeira
• Rita Albuquerque as Roberta II
• Isaac Henriques Roque as Carlito Palmeira
• Rui Carriço as King Lazarus
• Diogo Vomlel Hernandes as General Pedro Castro Guerro