The Closing of a Refinery

A soul-searching conversation with ChatGPT about sustainability, the green energy transition, and the future of humankind, following the decommission of the largest oil refinery in Northern Portugal.

  • Vasco Monteiro
    Director
  • Vasco Monteiro
    Producer
  • ChatGPT
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Documentary, non-fiction
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 15, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    Portugal
  • Country of Filming:
    Portugal
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:09
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - ESMAD
  • Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival
    Cleremont-Ferrand
    France
    February 5, 2024
    Short Market Picks
  • CinemAmbiente – Environmental Film Festival
    Turin
    Italy
    June 7, 2024
    Italian
  • FEST – New Directors | New Films Festival
    Espinho
    Portugal
    June 30, 2024
    Portuguese
  • Curtas Vila do Conde - International Film Festival
    Vila do Conde
    Portugal
Director Biography - Vasco Monteiro

Vasco Monteiro is a Portuguese filmmaker and scriptwriter. Most of his career has been devoted to crafting narratives in the realm of fiction, earning several awards and recognition for his writing. He recently entered new territory, taking his storytelling craft to the wonderful world of documentary film. “The Closing of a Refinery” marks his first significant foray as a documentary filmmaker.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The Closing of a Refinery is an attempt to address the economic, environmental and social consequences of the green energy politics. The use of an AI text generative program, that parrots our human ideas, holds a mirror that highlights the sterile simplicity we often use in our discourse about climate change and sustainability. Instead of providing answers, this film aim’s to incite engagement with the existential challenge posed by our current climate crisis.