Manoel de Oliveira
Personal Info
Known for
Directing
Gender
Male
Birthday
1908-12-11
Day of Death
2015-04-02 (106 years old)
Place of Birth
Porto, Portugal
Manoel de Oliveira
Biography
Manoel de Oliveira was born in Porto, Portugal on December 11, 1908, to Francisco José de Oliveira and Cândida Ferreira Pinto. His family were wealthy industrialists. Oliveira attended school in Galicia, Spain and his goal as a teenager was to become an actor. He enrolled in Italian film-maker Rino Lupo's acting school at age 20, but later changed his mind when he saw Walther Ruttmann's documentary Berlin: Symphony of a City. This prompted him to direct his first film, also a documentary, titledDouro, Faina Fluvial (1931). He also acted in the second Portuguese sound film, A Canção de Lisboa (1933). His first feature film came much later, in 1942. Aniki-Bóbó, a portrait of Oporto's street children, was a commercial failure when it opened, and its merit only came to be recognised over time. This drawback forced Oliveira to abandon other film projects he was involved in, and to dedicate himself to running his family vineyard. He re-emerged onto the film scene in 1956 with The Artist and the City, a work that marked a turning point in Oliveira's conception of the cinema. In 1963, O Acto de Primavera (The Rite of Spring), a documentary depicting an annual passion play, marked a turning point for his career. This was shortly followed by A caça (The Hunt), a grim feature film that contrasted with the happy tones of his previous documentary. Despite the widespread acclaim garnered by both films, he would not return to the director's seat until the 1970s. Since 1990 (when he turned 82), he has made at least one film each year. Oliveira has said that he direct movies for the sheer pleasure of doing it, regardless of critical reaction. He maintains a quiet life away from the spotlights, despite multiple honours such as those of the Cannes, Venice and Montreal film festivals. He has been awarded two Career Golden Lions in 1985 and 2004 and a golden palm for his lifetime achievements in 2008.
Acting
(2024)
Manoel de Oliveira, le cinéaste architecte
as Self (archive) - cineast
(2015)
The Glory of Filmmaking in Portugal
as Himself
(2014)
Henri Langlois vu par...
as Self
(2013)
Biette
as Self
(2012)
(2011)
Guest
as Self
(2011)
(2011)
(2010)
Sodankylä Forever
as Self
(2007)
Christopher Columbus, The Enigma
as Manuel Luciano (2007)
(2007)
The 15th Stone
as Himself
(2007)
Manoel de Oliveira, O Caso Dele
as Himself
(2006)
No Tempo do Cinema
as Himself
(2006)
(2005)
Jornal Português (1938-1951)
as Self (archive footage)
(2003)
(2001)
Porto of My Childhood
as Himself / Narrator / The Thief
(1998)
Inquietude
as Tango Dancer
(1997)
(1997)
(1997)
Voyage to the Beginning of the World
as Driver
(1994)
Lisbon Story
as Himself
(1993)
(1993)
(1991)
(1990)
No, or the Vain Glory of Command
as Narrator
(1983)
(1982)
The Conversation Is Over
as Padre
(1981)
Cinématon XI
as N°102
(1981)
(1979)
Doomed Love
as Narrator (voice)
(1978)
Cinématon
as N°102
(1963)
(1933)
A Song of Lisbon
as Carlos
(1928)
Crew
(2015)
A Century of Energy
Director of Photography, Director
(2014)
The Old Man of Belem
Screenplay, Director
(2014)
Chafariz das Virtudes
Director
(2014)
Henri Langlois vu par...
Director
(2012)
Gebo and the Shadow
Screenplay, Director
(2012)
Historic Centre
Director, Screenplay
(2012)
Invisible World
Director, Writer
(2012)
The Conquered Conqueror
Director, Screenplay
(2010)
The Strange Case of Angelica
Writer, Director
(2010)
The Panels of São Vicente de Fora: A Poetic Vision
Director, Writer
(2009)
Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl
Screenplay, Director, Editor
(2008)
Romance de Vila do Conde
Director, Director of Photography, Screenplay, Producer
(2008)
O Poeta Doido, o Vitral e a Santa Morta
Director of Photography, Producer, Writer, Director
(2007)
To Each His Own Cinema
Director, Writer
(2007)
Christopher Columbus, The Enigma
Director, Screenplay
(2007)
Sole Meeting
Director
(2006)
Belle Toujours
Director, Writer
(2006)
Magic Mirror
Director, Writer
(2006)
O Improvável Não é Impossível
Writer, Director
(2005)
Do visível ao invísivel
Screenplay, Editor, Art Direction, Director
(2004)
The Fifth Empire
Director, Screenplay
(2003)
A Talking Picture
Director, Writer
(2002)
The Uncertainty Principle
Director, Editor, Screenplay
(2001)
I’m Going Home
Director, Screenplay
(2001)
Porto of My Childhood
Director, Writer
(2000)
Word and Utopia
Director, Writer
(1999)
The Letter
Director, Screenplay
(1998)
Inquietude
Director, Screenplay
(1997)
Voyage to the Beginning of the World
Director, Writer
(1997)
A Friendly Handshake
Director, Screenplay
(1996)
Party
Director, Screenplay
(1995)
The Convent
Director, Writer, Editor
(1994)
Blind Man's Bluff
Adaptation, Director, Editor, Writer
(1993)
Abraham's Valley
Director, Editor, Screenplay
(1993)
Visit, or Memories and Confessions
Director, Editor, Screenplay
(1992)
Day of Despair
Director, Editor, Screenplay
(1991)
The Divine Comedy
Writer, Editor, Screenplay, Director
(1990)
No, or the Vain Glory of Command
Director, Screenplay, Editor
(1988)
The Cannibals
Director, Editor, Screenplay
(1988)
A Propósito da Bandeira Nacional
Producer, Director
(1986)
My Case
Director, Screenplay
(1986)
The Satin Slipper
Director, Screenplay
(1986)
(1984)
Lisboa Cultural
Editor, Director
(1983)
Nice - À propos de Jean Vigo
Director
(1981)
Francisca
Director, Screenplay
(1979)
Doomed Love
Screenplay, Director
(1975)
Benilde or the Virgin Mother
Screenplay, Editor, Director
(1972)
Past and Present
Director, Producer, Editor, Screenplay
(1965)
As Pinturas do Meu Irmão Júlio
Director, Screenplay, Producer, Editor, Director of Photography, Sound Designer
(1964)
The Hunt
Director, Director of Photography, Writer, Editor, Producer, Sound Designer
(1964)
(1963)
Acto da Primavera
Director, Sound, Screenplay, Editor, Producer, Director of Photography
(1959)
O Pão
Director, Producer, Sound Designer, Director of Photography, Screenplay, Editor
(1956)
The Artist and the City
Director, Screenplay, Editor, Producer, Director of Photography
(1942)
Aniki-Bóbó
Director, Screenplay, Co-Producer, Editor
(1941)
Famalicão
Writer, Director, Producer, Sound
(1938)
Já Se Fabricam Automóveis em Portugal
Editor, Executive Producer, Director, Writer
(1938)
Miramar, Praia das Rosas
Executive Producer, Screenplay, Editor, Director
(1937)
Os Últimos Temporais - Cheias do Tejo
Director of Photography, Director
(1932)
White Coal
Editor, Executive Producer, Director, Writer
(1932)
Lisbon statues
Director of Photography, Screenplay, Director
(1931)
Working on the Douro River
Director, Writer, Editor