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Testamento Francisco Manso A young woman finds out the truth about the wealthy father she never knew through a series of tape-recorded memoirs in this winning tale of the past meeting the present in Cape Verde. A universal story told within a very specific cultural landscape and with plenty of humor and color. "Testamento is no more and no less than a story of one man's life, presented as something surreal, absurd and vain--yet ennobled by moments of haunting tenderness" (Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle). In Portuguese with English subtitles. Cape Verde/Portugal/Brazil, 1997, 112 mins Videocassette | $44.95 DVD | $44.95
Abraham’s Valley Manoel de Oliveira A young woman who possesses hypnotically powerful beauty enters into a loveless marriage with a wealthy doctor. Her vows do not prevent her from passionate explorations with others, but ultimately she cannot find spiritual nourishment in this world. "Subtle, elegant, enigmatic, this movie by the veteran Oliveira exercises a powerful grip...echoes the satiric irony of late Bunuel and the secretive minimalism of Bresson" (Wally Hammond, Time Out Film Guide). In Portuguese with English subtitles. Portugal/France, 1993, 187 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
Dead Man's Memories Markus Heltschel Esteemed French actress Sylvie Testud stars in a shadowy whodunit that unfolds against the backdrop of contemporary Portugal. When a man's body is discovered on a beach, police dective Pinto (Miguel Guilherme) begins the hunt for clues. A mysterious video tape leads him to a beautiful young woman (Testud) whose version of the events only serves to obscure the truth. Markus Heltschel's tale of love, betrayal, and murder was a winner for Best Film at the Max Ophuls Film Festival. In German, English, and Portuguese with English subtitles. Portugal / Germany 2003 88 mins. DVD | $44.95
O Fantasma Joao Pedro Rodrigues Filmed almost entirely at night, this erotic thriller follows a lonely trash collector exploring his sexuality through a series of anonymous and bizarre nocturnal sexual conquests. When he becomes fixated on a gay, leather-clad motorcyclist, his sexual dysfunction is fuelled into a dark obsession that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. "A trance-like surrealist fantasy" (Megan Turner, New York Post). In Portuguese with English subtitles. Portugal, 2000, 90 mins. DVD | $44.95
God’s Comedy Joao Monteiro An outrageous sensibility lurks underneath the seemingly calm and patient surface of this distinctive feature by veteran Portuguese filmmaker Joao Cesar Monteiro. The writer-director also stars in the film, playing a successful ice cream creator with some odd sexual obsessions, including a pubic hair collection. When the daughter of the local butcher becomes the latest object of his affections, the unhappy father sets out for revenge against the ice cream man. Winner of a Special Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. In Portuguese with English subtitles. Portugal, 1995, 163 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $44.95
The Jew Jom Tob Azuley Set during the Spanish Inquisition, this provocative, unusual Portuguese film is based on the true story of Antonio da Silva, a talented playwright and writer in 18th-century Portugal who is accused of heresy: still secretly being a Jew, even after converting to Catholicism. He must stand up to a ferocious Church hierarchy at odds with a decadent monarchy. "Even more hair-raising than The Crucible…. An incongruously beautiful period film" (Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune). Portuguese with English subtitles. Portugal/Brazil, 1995, 85 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
The Convent Manoel de Oliveira John Malkovich and Catherine Deneuve are a married couple who become sidetracked from their own relationship while on a professional visit to a Portuguese convent. As a professor, Malkovich is determined to prove that Shakespeare was of Spanish Jewish origin. While he searches for evidence in support of his theory, Deneuve becomes enmeshed in a flirtation with their host, the sinister Baltar. Their exchanges bring the battle between good and evil to an intense carnal level through the lure of temptation. English, French and Portuguese with English subtitles. Portugal, 1995, 90 mins. DVD | $44.95
I'm Going Home Manoel de Oliveira An aging Parisian actor (Michel Piccoli) tragically loses his wife, daughter and son-in-law in a car wreck, leading him to care for his orphaned grandson in this touching and often funny film from Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira (Voyage to the Beginning of the World). Just as life begins to return to normal, an American director (John Malkovich) offers the actor a role in a production of James Joyce's Ulysses, which stirs up old emotions. Also stars Catherine Deneuve. "Beautiful...A glorious film full of revelations" (Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader). DVD includes an interview with Manoel de Oliveira, an audio commentary and more. In French with English subtitles. France/Portugal, 2001, 90 mins. DVD | $44.95
Party Manoel de Oliveira Manoel de Oliveira gently satirizes the jet-set crowd with "sophisticated deadpan humor" (Variety) in this most satisfying feature. Michel Piccoli and Irene Papas star in a tale of a romantic cat and mouse game that takes place at a seaside villa where the host couple is celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary. Leonor Silveira and Rogerio Samora also star in a film with great insight into the nature of the privileged class, sexual dynamics and the enduring appeal and danger of flirtation. Mainly in French, with some Portuguese, with English subtitles. Portugal/France, 1996, 95 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $44.95
A Talking Picture Manoel de Oliveira In Manoel de Olivera's majestic film, Rosa Maria (Leonor Silveira), a young history professor, sets out with her daughter Maria Joana on a cruise through the Mediterranean to Bombay, India. There they are to meet her husband for a vacation on the other side of the world. This pleasure cruise allows Rosa Maria, to show her daughter, and see for herself places which she lectures on, but has never visited. But sailing towards the Persian Gulf, a strange threat disturbs the cruise and menaces the ship and the life of its passengers. With Catherine Deneuve and John Malkovich. "Only a 94-year-old director could get away with ending on such a supremely audacious note" (Bright Lights Film Journal). In Portuguese, French, and Greek with optional English subtitles. Portugal/France/Italy, 2003, 96 mins. DVD | $44.95
Voyage to the Beginning of the World Manoel de Oliveira In one of his last roles, Marcello Mastroianni stars as an aging film director who travels to Portugal to visit the elderly aunt of one of his actors. Along the way, the director revisits his own past and faces his own tenuous hold on life. A profound, semi-autobiographical feature from veteran director Manoel de Oliveira, who was 88 when he completed this film. "One of the most beautiful films ever made about aging" (Dave Kehr, New York Daily News). Mainly in French, with some Portuguese, with English subtitles. Portugal/France, 1997, 95 mins. DVD | $44.95
