Inspired by a short story by Alvaro de Carvalhal, a Portuguese writer who died in 1861 at the age of 23, and who was the author of unusual tales which were published posthumously, this libretto, written by Oliveira, is a complete transcription of his filmed opera The Cannibals.
The action of the film takes place in 19th century Portuguese high society and relates the story of a rich viscount eaten by his in-laws. Returning to the aspirations of Gluck and Wagner for whom opera constitutes a synthesis of all the arts and a total spectacle, Oliveira signs his first film-opera with The Cannibals. A sublime mixture of farce and tragedy, The Cannibals was unanimously praised at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival.
Manoel de Oliveira's (Porto, 1908-2015) oeuvre is one of the most original chapters in the history of
cinema. His work has received universal recognition as demonstrated by the host of awards from film festivals and academies worldwide.
Amor de Perdição (1978),
Francisca (1981),
O sapato de cetim (1985),
Non, ou
A Vã Glória de Mandar (1990),
Vale Abraão (1993) are some of his greatest accomplishments.
published in February 1989
French edition
16,5 x 21,5 cm (softcover)
128 pages (30 b/w ill.)
ISBN : 978-2-906571-08-2
EAN : 9782906571082
currently out of stock
