Synopsis
Joao Vuvu, a widower, has an only son who is in prison for a double homicide and a bank holdup. He lives alone in his spacious, sunlit house perched atop Monte Olivete in Lisbon’s historical quarter. It’s clear that Joao possesses a considerable fortune. An unsociable man, he takes bus #100 for his daily promenade, indefatigably repeating the same routine: he goes between the Praça das Flores and the Principe Real gardens and returns to his departure point, that is to say, his house. Only the occasional incident can upset this daily routine which seems to correspond to Joao Vuvu’s desire for isolation and exile and which makes him hostile to any social interaction. Books and records are his only company at home, although he’s beginning to feel the need of a cleaning woman. His demand for high qualifications makes it difficult for him to find anyone. His son’s release from prison and the disappointment engendered by Joao’s desire for an inheritor lead to a series of somber events that reveal Joao’s criminal tendencies. He becomes an outlaw. Their respective differences notwithstanding, the film alludes to two films: “The Fatal Glass of Beer” by W.C. Fields and “Monsieur Verdoux” by Charles Chaplin.
Credits
Director (1)
Actors (9)
Production and distribution (4)
- Co-productions : Gemini Films, Arte France Cinéma
- Foreign production companies : Madragoa Filmes, RTP - Radiotelevisao Portuguesa
- Film exports/foreign sales : Gemini Films
- French distribution : Gemini Films
Full credits (10)
- Executive Producer : Paulo Branco
- Screenwriter : João César Monteiro
- Director of Photography : Mário Barroso
- Editors : Renata Sancho, João Nicolau
- Sound Recordist : Jean-Claude Laureux
- Costume designers : Isabel Branco, Lucha D'Orey
- Sound Assistant : Nicolas Cantin
- Press Attaché (film) : Bruno Barde
- Production Designer : José Manuel Castanheira
- Sound Mixer : Daniel Sobrino
Technical details
- Type : Feature film
- Genres : Fiction
- Sub-genre : Comedy
- Production language : Portuguese
- Coproducer countries : Portugal, France (100.0%)
- Original French-language productions : Unspecified
- Nationality : Minority French (Portugal, France)
- Production year : 2003
- French release : 18/06/2003
- Runtime : 2 h 59 min
- Current status : Released
- Visa number : 106.550
- Visa issue date : 22/05/2003
- Approval : Yes
- Production formats : 35mm
- Color type : Color
- Aspect ratio : 1.66
- Audio format : Dolby SRD
Box-office & releases
TV broadcasting
This content is for registered users only.
Are you a member? Please login to view content.
International releases
Country | Distributor | Buyer | Release date | Titre local |
---|