Back
See the trailer

PORTUGAL | 125 minutes | 2019

A plane takes Vitalina from Cape Verde to Portugal for the funeral of her husband, who abandoned her long ago. Through dark Cape Verdean immigrant ghettos, images of postcolonial abandonment and her late husband’s nearly ruined house, she finds herself grieving his promises of a lavish lifestyle. Pedro Costa returns to his shantytown characters with a humane and hopeful eye. The stunning use of chiaroscuro lighting in the claustrophobic interiors, brilliantly composed static shots and a rich colour palette make the film feel like a series of living paintings.

"Costa's latest vision of Cape Verdean immigrants — a highlight from this year's Locarno Film Festival — is another lyrical vision of somber people confronting their past. The mystery and wonder of Pedro Costa’s filmmaking defies any specific category other than his own unique blend." Indie Wire

Golden leopard, Leopard for best actress and Special Mention of the Ecumenical Jury - Locarno Film Festival

Programs

Wednesday October 16, 2019

Program #175
17:30
Cineplex Odeon Quartier SALLE 14

Saturday October 19, 2019

Program #237
20:30
Cinémathèque - Salle Principale

Pedro Costa

No biography

1987 - CARTAS A JULIA, short
1990 - O SANGUE / BLOOD
1994 - CASA DE LAVA
1997 - OSSOS / BONES
2000 - NO QUARTO DA VANDA / IN VANDA'S ROOM
2001 - DANIÈLE HUILLET, JEAN-MARIE STRAUB, CINÉASTES episode of the collection CINÉASTES, DE NOTRE TEMPS
2002 - ONDE JAZ O TEU SORRISO? / OÙ GÎT VOTRE SOURIRE ENFOUI? / WHERE DOES YOUR HIDDEN SMILE LIE?
2003 - 6 BAGATELAS, short
2006 - JUVENTUDE EM MARCHA / COLOSSAL YOUTH
2007 - TARRAFAL, short in O ESTADO DO MUNDO / THE STATE OF THE WORLD
2007 - THE RABBIT HUNTERS, short in MEMORIES, JEONJU DIGITAL PROJECT
2009 - NE CHANGE RIEN
2010 - O NOSSO HOMEM / OUR MAN, short
2012 - SWEET EXORCIST, short in CENTRO HISTORICO
2014 - CAVALO DINHEIRO / HORSE MONEY
2019 - VITALINA VARELA

distribution and credits

  • Screenplay Pedro Costa, Vitalina Varela
  • Producer Abel Chaves
  • Cast Vitalina Varela, Ventura

recommended movies

LES NOUVEAUX ALCHIMISTES

THE HALT

O.V. English | st English

It’s 2034. The sun hasn’t come out in the three years since a volcanic eruption plunged the Philippines into darkness. A mad dictator rules a country...

PHILIPPINES | 282 minutes | 2019

LES NOUVEAUX ALCHIMISTES

BAIT

O.V. English

Behind the postcard façade of this Cornish fishing village simmers conflict, anger and resentment. Torn between fishing and tourism, two brothers grapple...

UNITED KINGDOM | 87 minutes | 2019

LES NOUVEAUX ALCHIMISTES

SERPENTÁRIO

O.V. Portuguese | st English

If I were to adopt a bird that lived to be 150, would you take care of it after I died? asked his mother shortly before dying. Thus begins the young...

PORTUGAL, ANGOLA | 85 minutes | 2018

x Close

Our newsletter

Stay connected

Sign-up for our newsletter to get all the latest Festival news!

Please fill this field Invalid first name
Please fill this field Invalid last name
Please fill this field Invalid email
Send You'll receive an email soon to confirm your subscription to our newsletter You are already subscribed to the newsletter

To learn more about our privacy policy, click here