Portuguese Films For The Winter Season – Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
In winter, British weather is not exactly conducive to outdoor activities. A blanket of clouds covers the sky and hides the sun’s rays. Rain showers are a regular occurrence for the British, making umbrellas an indispensable standard in backpacks, work bags, and handbags. No wonder, then, that the majority of the population spends winter snuggled up in blankets in front of the television. With a cup of hot tea, scones, and an exciting film, the evening can be enjoyed fully.
Unfortunately, the film industry has delayed the release of countless films due to the Corona crisis. As a result, the film landscape seems to have been grazed and no one feels like watching the same blockbusters and series all the time. However, as the focus in the UK is mainly on British and American productions, we are missing out on numerous great films. Even unassuming countries like Portugal have been able to release some classics and cinema hits in recent decades.
Night Train to Lisbon
The classic film “Night Train to Lisbon” is based on a novel by Swiss philosopher Peter Bieri and was created by C-Films – a Swiss production. It is true that “Night Train to Lisbon” cannot really count as a Portuguese film, but as this masterpiece describes the longing for the Portuguese language, country, and people, we wanted to include it in our list.
Raimund is 57 years old and works as a teacher of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew at a grammar school in Bern. Influenced by his encounter with a Portuguese woman, he goes to an antiquarian bookshop, where he comes across a book by the Portuguese writer Amadeu Inácio de Almeida Prado. Touched by his words, Raimund decides to set off for the land of his dreams. The book is an ode to missed opportunities and missed chances. Through the main character, the audience is reminded to live in the moment and to put reason aside in favour of the heart.
The author’s poetic and picturesque descriptions make you want to see the country with your own eyes.
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Lines of Wellington
Napoleon in his time terrorized the whole of Europe. During the Napoleonic Wars on the Iberian Peninsula, the French troops had to admit defeat and surrender to the British-Portuguese forces led by General Wellington. Nevertheless, Wellington was forced to retreat. “Lines of Wellington” describes the pressure of the commanders-in-chief having to choose between humanity and patriotism.
April Captains
The film “April Captains” was released in 2000 and deals with the time of the Carnation Revolution. The night of 25 April 1974, the song “Grândola, Vila Morena” is heard on the radio. The starting signal for the “Revolution of the Captains”. That night, the regime “Estado Novo” is ended and the Portuguese Colonial War initiated. This film is a virtual excursion into the history of Portugal and helps to better understand the events of 1974.
The Gilded Cage
“The Gilded Cage” describes the life of Portuguese guest workers in Paris. The Ribeiro couple already count the French capital as their home and were able to integrate well into society. They have good friends and helpful neighbours who appreciate the couple.
One day, the Ribeiros receive the news that José’s well-heeled brother has died. He owned a vineyard that was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Torn between the country of their birth and their chosen homeland, the Ribeiros have to make a decision that the French actively try to influence.
