The first time I heard João Ganho's film title, Play it Again, Yuki, I went straight to one of the films that marked my life, Casablanca. One of the most emblematic scenes takes place next to the piano at Rick's Café, when Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) asks Sam, the pianist, to play once again As Time Goes By, a hymn for my generation. "Play it, Sam" is the key line of that dialogue and takes me immediately to Play it Again, Yuki, by João. There's a dramatic story (the pianist's 18 years break from music), there's music, there's a piano, and above all there's image. Yuki's hands, expressions, emotion, it's all there. Impossible not to like it.

José Correia Guedes, O Aviador [The Aviator], 78

Play it Again, Yuki is a film about life's journey, the journeys of all lives, including Yuki's life, and the obstacles that show up along the way. Stoping, moving on, restarting? Above all, willing.

The story is biographical and relatable to the lives of each one of us, dealing with the need of introspection to strive and to move on in the journey of life.

More than the story of Yuki's life episode, either somatic or not, the film is worth it for the sequences and the spaces - the church and the organ, the recording hall with the contrast between its gigantic acoustics and the triviality of the kettle and the tea - and the repeated moments of the run.

The light's truth in each still, the elegance of the chosen themes to be played by Yuki, the magnificent sound, all together make this feature a simultaneously subtle, simple and sublime work. In a world in which cinema, full of special effects, has so often lost its ability to "tell a story", Play it Again, Yuki stands out for the simplicity of what's beautiful. A masterpiece worth revisiting.

Cristina Pestana, physician, 63

Play it Again, Yuki defies the audience to listen before seeing, as sound and image find a rare balance and atmosphere where sound often assumes a central narrative role. Far from just a music documentary, or a life story, this film builds itself up as a sensitive score where the main character's piano performance and her intimate process of physical and mental conquest merge.

Recording in a concert venue instead of in a conventional studio is not just a logistical option, it is a technical and aesthetic intentional choice which brings out authenticity and texture to the audiovisual experience. The camera observes, eventually discreetly but never far; it is present in the silences, in the gazes, in the processes and in all the small movements that speak as much as the music.

The film is impressive for its formal cohesion and its technical excellence. Each frame and each sound suggest careful choosing to compose a narrative in which effort, pain and persistence emerge with great strength. It is a work that demands attention and hands back truthfulness. A film to See, Listen and reflect.

Paulo Feijão, audiovisual professional, 58

Play it Again, Yuki is a true story which combined with image and sound excellence catches us to the end, leaving us wanting more.

Daniela Sobral, physician, 53

Play it Again, Yuki is more than a documentary: it's a testimony about the power of transformation within art. And it's even more impressive because it's true cinema made without film funding - the proof that whenever there's talent and passion light will always shine bright, even in the most independent productions.

Vanessa Barata, journalist, 47

A story of tenacity, hard to live, faultlessly and effectively conveyed through an aquarelle mix of musical, human and simple and timely outdoor scenes. Congratulations to all involved in the original idea, directing, production and performance of Play it Again, Yuki, a scent of a light fragrance that leaves us with a lasting aroma.

Januário Martins, engineer, 91

A highly emotional and engaging work, through which the audience witnesses a story of pain, but also acceptance and overcoming, told in a sublime way. Loved it!

Sandra Castelão, teacher, 52

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