Biography
Pedro Costa is a Portuguese film director. While studying history at University of Lisbon, Costa switched to film courses at Lisbon Theatre and Film School (Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema) where he was a student of António Reis, Paulo Rocha and Alberto Seixas Santos. After working as an assistant director to several directors such as Jorge Silva Melo, Vítor Gonçalves and João Botelho, he made a first feature film O Sangue (The Blood) in 1989. He collected the France Culture Award (Foreign Cineaste of the Year) at 2002 Cannes Film Festival for directing the film In Vanda's Room. Colossal Youth was selected for the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and earned the Independent/Experimental prize (Los Angeles Film Critics Association) in 2008. He is considered to be part of "The School of Reis" film family. António Reis, Portuguese director, was his teacher at the Lisbon Theatre and Film School. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called Pedro Costa "the Samuel Beckett of cinema". He is acclaimed for using his ascetic style to depict the marginalised people in desperate living situations. Many of his films are set in a district of Lisbon inhabited by socially disadvantaged and shot in a natural and low-key way in documentary format: some are docufictions.
Directed 27
2020s
- 2023
The Daughters of Fire
Director
2010s
- 2019
Vitalina Varela
Director
- 2014
Horse Money
Director
- 2012
Historic Centre
Director
Sweet Exorcism
Director
Alto Cutelo
Director
- 2010
Our Man
Director
2000s
- 2009
Change Nothing
Director
- 2007
The State of the World
Director
The Rabbit Hunters
Director
Tarrafal
Director
Memories
Director
- 2006
Colossal Youth
Director
Minino macho, Minino fêmea
Director
- 2005
Change Nothing
Director
- 2003
Where Does Your Hidden Smile Lie?
Director
The End of a Love Affair
Director
- 2001
6 Bagatelas
Director
In Vanda's Room
Director
1990s
- 1997
Ossos
Director
- 1995
Casa de Lava
Director
1980s
- 1989
Blood
Director
- 1988
Agosto
Assistant Director
- 1987
Duma Vez Por Todas
Assistant Director
- 1986
A Girl in Summer
Assistant Director
A Portuguese Farewell
Assistant Director
- 1984
É Tudo Invenção Nossa
Director
Wrote 14
2020s
- 2023
The Daughters of Fire
Screenplay
2010s
- 2019
Vitalina Varela
Screenplay
- 2014
Horse Money
Writer
- 2012
Historic Centre
Screenplay
Sweet Exorcism
Writer
- 2010
Our Man
Story
2000s
- 2007
The 13 Roses
Story
Memories
Story
- 2006
Colossal Youth
Writer
- 2003
The End of a Love Affair
Screenplay
- 2001
In Vanda's Room
Screenplay
1990s
- 1997
Ossos
Screenplay
- 1995
Casa de Lava
Writer
1980s
- 1989
Blood
Screenplay
Camera 5
2020s
- 2026
Repetition in re-creation
Director of Photography
2010s
- 2012
Historic Centre
Director of Photography
2000s
- 2007
The State of the World
Director of Photography
- 2003
Where Does Your Hidden Smile Lie?
Director of Photography
- 2001
In Vanda's Room
Director of Photography
Acted in 3
2020s
- 2021
2000s
- 2006
All Blossoms Again: Pedro Costa, Director
Movie
- 2001
História do Cinema Português
TV
Other crew 2
2000s
- 2009
Change Nothing
Cinematography
- 2006
Colossal Youth
Cinematography
Art department 2
2020s
- 2025
Where do you come from, Silence
Art Direction
1980s
- 1986
Hovering Over the Water
Props
Produced 2
2020s
- 2026
Fire of Wind
Producer
2000s
- 2007
The 13 Roses
Producer
Sound 1
2020s
- 2021
Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard
Sound Designer
Appearances2
2010s
- 2019
Sacavém: The Films of Pedro Costa
Himself
- 2018
Wiara
Self
Thanked in the credits2
2010s
- 2016
How I Fell in Love with Eva Ras
Thanks
2000s
- 2001
Fragile as the World
Thanks