Biography
Manoel de Oliveira (11 December 1908 - 2 April 2015) was born in Porto, Portugal to Francisco José de Oliveira and Cândida Ferreira Pinto. His family were wealthy industrialists. Oliveira attended school in Galicia, Spain and his goal as a teenager was to become an actor. He enrolled in Italian film-maker Rino Lupo's acting school at age 20, but later changed his mind when he saw Walther Ruttmann's documentary Berlin: Symphony of a City. This prompted him to direct his first film, also a documentary, titledDouro, Faina Fluvial (1931). He also acted in the second Portuguese sound film, A Canção de Lisboa (1933). His first feature film came much later, in 1942. Aniki-Bóbó, a portrait of Oporto's street children, was a commercial failure when it opened, and its merit only came to be recognised over time. This drawback forced Oliveira to abandon other film projects he was involved in, and to dedicate himself to running his family vineyard. He re-emerged onto the film scene in 1956 with The Artist and the City, a work that marked a turning point in Oliveira's conception of the cinema. In 1963, O Acto de Primavera (The Rite of Spring), a documentary depicting an annual passion play, marked a turning point for his career. This was shortly followed by A caça (The Hunt), a grim feature film that contrasted with the happy tones of his previous documentary. Despite the widespread acclaim garnered by both films, he would not return to the director's seat until the 1970s. Since 1990 (when he turned 82), he has made at least one film each year. Oliveira has said that he direct movies for the sheer pleasure of doing it, regardless of critical reaction. He maintains a quiet life away from the spotlights, despite multiple honours such as those of the Cannes, Venice and Montreal film festivals. He has been awarded two Career Golden Lions in 1985 and 2004 and a golden palm for his lifetime achievements in 2008.
Directed 63
2010s
- 2015
A Century of Energy
Director
Visit, or Memories and Confessions
Director
- 2014
The Old Man of Belem
Director
Chafariz das Virtudes
Director
- 2013
Invisible World
Director
- 2012
Historic Centre
Director
The Conquered Conqueror
Director
Gebo and the Shadow
Director
- 2010
The Strange Case of Angelica
Director
The Panels of São Vicente de Fora: A Poetic Vision
Director
2000s
- 2009
Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl
Director
- 2008
O Poeta Doido, o Vitral e a Santa Morta
Director
Romance de Vila do Conde
Director
- 2007
Christopher Columbus, The Enigma
Director
Rencontre Unique
Director
- 2006
Belle Toujours
Director
O Improvável Não é Impossível
Director
Magic Mirror
Director
- 2005
Do Visível ao Invísivel
Director
- 2004
The Fifth Empire
Director
- 2003
A Talking Picture
Director
- 2002
The Uncertainty Principle
Director
Moment
Director
- 2001
Porto of My Childhood
Director
I’m Going Home
Director
- 2000
Word and Utopia
Director
1990s
- 1999
The Letter
Director
- 1998
Inquietude
Director
- 1997
Voyage to the Beginning of the World
Director
A Friendly Handshake
Director
- 1996
Party
Director
- 1995
The Convent
Director
- 1994
Blind Man's Bluff
Director
- 1993
Abraham's Valley
Director
- 1992
Day of Despair
Director
- 1991
The Divine Comedy
Director
- 1990
No, or the Vain Glory of Command
Director
1980s
- 1988
The Cannibals
Director
- 1986
My Case
Director
Simpósio Internacional de Escultura em Pedra
Director
The Satin Slipper
Director
- 1984
Lisboa Cultural
Director
- 1983
Nice - À propos de Jean Vigo
Director
- 1981
Francisca
Director
1970s
- 1979
Doomed Love
Director
- 1978
Doomed Love
Director
- 1975
Benilde or the Virgin Mother
Director
- 1972
Past and Present
Director
1960s
- 1965
As Pinturas do Meu Irmão Júlio
Director
- 1964
Villa Verdinho - Uma Aldeia Transmontana
Director
The Hunt
Director
- 1963
Acto da Primavera
Director
1950s
- 1959
Bread
Director
- 1956
The Artist and the City
Director
1940s
- 1942
Aniki-Bóbó
Director
- 1941
Famalicão
Director
1930s
- 1938
Miramar, Praia das Rosas
Director
Portugal Já Faz Automóveis
Director
- 1937
Os Últimos Temporais - Cheias do Tejo
Director
- 1932
Lisbon statues
Director
White Coal
Director
- 1931
Working on the Douro River
Director
Wrote 55
2010s
- 2015
Visit, or Memories and Confessions
Screenplay
- 2014
The Old Man of Belem
Screenplay
- 2013
Invisible World
Writer
- 2012
Historic Centre
Screenplay
The Conquered Conqueror
Screenplay
Gebo and the Shadow
Screenplay
- 2010
The Strange Case of Angelica
Writer
The Panels of São Vicente de Fora: A Poetic Vision
Screenplay
2000s
- 2009
Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl
Screenplay
- 2008
O Poeta Doido, o Vitral e a Santa Morta
Writer
Romance de Vila do Conde
Screenplay
- 2007
Christopher Columbus, The Enigma
Screenplay
Rencontre Unique
Screenplay
- 2006
Belle Toujours
Writer
O Improvável Não é Impossível
Writer
Magic Mirror
Writer
- 2005
Do Visível ao Invísivel
Screenplay
- 2004
The Fifth Empire
Screenplay
- 2003
A Talking Picture
Writer
- 2002
The Uncertainty Principle
Screenplay
- 2001
Porto of My Childhood
Writer
I’m Going Home
Screenplay
- 2000
Word and Utopia
Writer
1990s
- 1999
The Letter
Screenplay
- 1998
Inquietude
Screenplay
- 1997
Voyage to the Beginning of the World
Writer
A Friendly Handshake
Screenplay
- 1996
Party
Screenplay
- 1995
The Convent
Writer
- 1994
Blind Man's Bluff
Adaptation, Writer
- 1993
Abraham's Valley
Screenplay
- 1992
Day of Despair
Screenplay
- 1991
The Divine Comedy
Writer, Screenplay
- 1990
No, or the Vain Glory of Command
Screenplay
1980s
- 1988
The Cannibals
Screenplay
- 1986
My Case
Screenplay
The Satin Slipper
Screenplay
- 1981
Francisca
Screenplay
1970s
- 1979
Doomed Love
Screenplay
- 1978
Doomed Love
Writer, Screenplay
- 1975
Benilde or the Virgin Mother
Screenplay
- 1972
Past and Present
Screenplay
1960s
- 1965
As Pinturas do Meu Irmão Júlio
Screenplay
- 1964
The Hunt
Writer
- 1963
Acto da Primavera
Screenplay
1950s
- 1959
Bread
Screenplay
- 1956
The Artist and the City
Screenplay
1940s
- 1942
Aniki-Bóbó
Screenplay
- 1941
Famalicão
Writer
1930s
- 1938
Miramar, Praia das Rosas
Screenplay
Portugal Já Faz Automóveis
Writer
- 1932
Lisbon statues
Screenplay
White Coal
Writer
- 1931
Working on the Douro River
Writer
Acted in 24
2020s
- 2025
The Life of Mirrors
Movie
2010s
- 2012
101
Movie
- 2011
Hitler in Hollywood
Movie
2000s
- 2007
Christopher Columbus, The Enigma
Manuel Luciano (2007)
- 2006
O Improvável Não é Impossível
(voice)
Conversazione a Porto
Movie
- 2003
A Talking Picture
Movie
- 2001
História do Cinema Português
TV
1990s
- 1998
Inquietude
Tango Dancer
- 1997
Voyage to the Beginning of the World
Driver
A Friendly Handshake
Movie
- 1994
Zona+
Próprio · 1 episode
- 1993
Oliveira, l'architecte
Movie
- 1991
The Divine Comedy
Movie
1980s
- 1986
The Satin Slipper
Gentleman bowing with hat
- 1983
Nice - À propos de Jean Vigo
Movie
- 1982
The Conversation Is Over
Padre
- 1981
Cinématon n°102 : Manoel de Oliveira
Movie
1970s
- 1978
Cinématon
N°102
Doomed Love
(voice) · 6 episodes
- 1975
Benilde or the Virgin Mother
Screaming Madman (voice)
1960s
- 1963
The Green Years
Movie
1930s
- 1933
A Song of Lisbon
Carlos
1920s
- 1928
Fátima Milagrosa
Movie
Edited 24
2010s
- 2015
Visit, or Memories and Confessions
Editor
2000s
- 2009
Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl
Editor
- 2005
Do Visível ao Invísivel
Editor
- 2002
The Uncertainty Principle
Editor
1990s
- 1995
The Convent
Editor
- 1994
Blind Man's Bluff
Editor
- 1993
Abraham's Valley
Editor
- 1992
Day of Despair
Editor
- 1991
The Divine Comedy
Editor
- 1990
No, or the Vain Glory of Command
Editor
1980s
- 1988
The Cannibals
Editor
- 1984
Lisboa Cultural
Editor
1970s
- 1975
Benilde or the Virgin Mother
Editor
- 1972
Past and Present
Editor
1960s
- 1965
As Pinturas do Meu Irmão Júlio
Editor
- 1964
The Hunt
Editor
- 1963
Acto da Primavera
Editor
1950s
- 1959
Bread
Editor
- 1956
The Artist and the City
Editor
1940s
- 1942
Aniki-Bóbó
Editor
1930s
- 1938
Miramar, Praia das Rosas
Editor
Portugal Já Faz Automóveis
Editor
- 1932
White Coal
Editor
- 1931
Working on the Douro River
Editor
Produced 13
2000s
- 2008
O Poeta Doido, o Vitral e a Santa Morta
Producer
Romance de Vila do Conde
Producer
1970s
- 1972
Past and Present
Producer
1960s
- 1965
As Pinturas do Meu Irmão Júlio
Producer
- 1964
The Hunt
Producer
- 1963
Acto da Primavera
Producer
1950s
- 1959
Bread
Producer
- 1956
The Artist and the City
Producer
1940s
- 1942
Aniki-Bóbó
Co-Producer
- 1941
Famalicão
Producer
1930s
- 1938
Miramar, Praia das Rosas
Executive Producer
Portugal Já Faz Automóveis
Executive Producer
- 1932
White Coal
Executive Producer
Camera 10
2010s
- 2015
A Century of Energy
Director of Photography
2000s
- 2008
O Poeta Doido, o Vitral e a Santa Morta
Director of Photography
Romance de Vila do Conde
Director of Photography
1960s
- 1965
As Pinturas do Meu Irmão Júlio
Director of Photography
- 1964
The Hunt
Director of Photography
- 1963
Acto da Primavera
Director of Photography
1950s
- 1959
Bread
Director of Photography
- 1956
The Artist and the City
Director of Photography
1930s
- 1937
Os Últimos Temporais - Cheias do Tejo
Director of Photography
- 1932
Lisbon statues
Director of Photography
Sound 5
1960s
- 1965
As Pinturas do Meu Irmão Júlio
Sound Designer
- 1964
The Hunt
Sound Designer
- 1963
Acto da Primavera
Sound
1950s
- 1959
Bread
Sound Designer
1940s
- 1941
Famalicão
Sound
Art department 1
2000s
- 2005
Do Visível ao Invísivel
Art Direction
Created 1
1970s
- 1978
Doomed Love
Creator
Appearances19
2010s
- 2015
Jornal Português (1938-1951)
Self (archive footage)
The Glory of Filmmaking in Portugal
Himself
Visit, or Memories and Confessions
Self
- 2014
Henri Langlois vu par...
Self
- 2013
Biette
Self
- 2011
Agnès Varda: From Here to There
Self · 5 episodes
Agnès Varda: From Here to There
Self
2000s
- 2007
Manoel de Oliveira, O Caso Dele
Himself
The 15th Stone
Himself
- 2006
No Tempo do Cinema
Himself
- 2003
Agostinho da Silva - A Living Thought
Self
- 2001
Porto of My Childhood
Himself / Narrator / The Thief
1990s
- 1997
Marcello Mastroianni: I Remember
Self
- 1994
Lisbon Story
Himself
- 1990
No, or the Vain Glory of Command
Narrator
1980s
- 1987
Já Está
Self · 1 episode
1970s
- 1979
Doomed Love
Narrator (voice)
- 1978
