MYSTERIES OF LISBON

Lisbon at the beginning of the 19th century. The boy João grows up in a boarding school and does not know who his parents are; Padre Dinis, who runs the house, one day takes him to his mother, a countess living under her husband’s rule. From here a chain of stories opens up: the priest’s dark origins, a pirate who becomes a businessman, duels, disguises, revenge and love across decades and countries. “Mysteries of Lisbon” (original title “Mistérios de Lisboa”) by Raúl Ruiz, Portugal/France 2010, is based on the novel of the same name by Camilo Castelo Branco from 1854.

Ruiz tells the story in 272 minutes with several narrators, flashbacks within flashbacks and a camera that glides through the drawing rooms; the film was made simultaneously as a television series. It premiered in September 2010 in Toronto; in San Sebastián Ruiz won the Silver Shell for best director, and in France the Prix Louis Delluc. It was one of the last works of the Chilean director, who died in August 2011. The film was shown at Around the World in 14 Films in Berlin in 2011.

Shown at the 2011 edition of Around the World in 14 Films.

All films 2011 · Film Archive