The Day of Despair tells the true story of the Portugal’s most distinguished 19th century writer Camilo Castelo Branco. This evocation is fundamentally based on several of his letters. The texts, one could say, guide us through the dramatic evolution of a virile, controversial and romantic man, and his fateful, instable and obstinate spirit. Camilo plunges headlong into an intimate conflict, or rather an inner conflict; ‘a personified drama’, as Fernando Pessoa would say, since it substantially passes between him and himself. The writer had been suffering from an eye disease and one day he woke up blind. A tortured soul, blindness drove him towards the final act of his life. The Final Act of his life?… But what about life beyond the grave?
- Locarno Film Festival
Manoel de Oliveira (1908–2015) was a legendary Portuguese filmmaker whose career spanned over 80 years—from silent cinema to the 21st century. Known for his poetic, philosophical, and highly original style, Oliveira directed acclaimed works such as "Aniki-Bobó", "The Rite of Spring", and "Abraham’s Valley", often blending literature, theatre, and history. Celebrated at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, he received numerous international awards, including the Honorary Palme d’Or. Oliveira remained creatively active well past 100, leaving behind a singular legacy in world cinema.
- O conquistador conquistado – 2012 – Short film
- Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl – 2009
- Belle Toujours – 2006
- Magic Mirror – 2005
- Blind Man’s Bluff – 1994
- Abraham’s Valley – 1993
- Day of Despair – 1992
- The Divine Comedy – 1991
- No, or the Vain Glory of Command – 1990
- The Cannibals – 1988
- My Case – 1986
- The Satin Slipper – 1985
- Lisboa Cultural – 1983 – Short film
- Visit or Memories and Confessions – 1982
- Doomed Love – 1978
- Benilde or the Virgin Mother – 1975
- Past and Present – 1972
- Romance de Vila do Conde – 1968 – Short film
- Rite of Spring – 1963
- A Caça – 1963 – Short film
- O Pão – 1959 – Short film
- As pinturas do meu irmão Júlio – 1959 – Short film
- O Pintor e a Cidade – 1956 – Short film
- Aniki-Bóbó – 1942
- Famalicão – 1941 – Short film
- Portugal já faz automóveis – 1938 – Short film
- Hulha Branca – 1932 – Short film
- Douro Faina Fluvial – 1931 – Short film
Mário Barroso
Teresa Madruga
Luís Miguel Cintra
Diogo Dória
Screenwriter: Manoel de Oliveira
DOP: Mário Barroso
Editors: Manoel de Oliveira, Valérie Loiseleux
Costume Design : Jasmim de Matos
Sound: Gita Cerveira, Dominique Dalmasso
Producer: Paulo Branco
Production: Madragoa Filmes, Gemini Films
World Sales: Luxbox
