17/11/2005

A comic hero from black and white films is about to disappear forever as a group of builders demolish an old studio and burn some ancient forgotten films. However, he manages to escape and, amazingly, materializes himself into a human being. Thrown into 21st century Lisbon, the black and white character has to adjust to live as a real person. George Felner's first feature film Manô is a mix of fantasy and romantic comedy as well as a tribute to old films. According to the producer Paulo Trancoso, the film, which was shot in 35mm, "is a new meeting with the memory of film in the times of digital cinema. It is the black and white tenderness in search of itself in the current colourful technological society."

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Written, performed and directed by George Felner, Manô also stars Adelaide De Sousa and Diogo Infante as a modern couple hosting the black and white character in their home. Produced by Costa do Castelo with the support of ICAM (68.000€) and RTP, Manô, opens today in 16 national theatres.

The second European release of the week is The Bridge Of San Luis Rey, a Spanish, English and French co-production starring Hollywood actors Robert de Niro, Gabriel Byrne, Harvey Keitel and Géraldine Chaplin. Directed by the Irish filmmaker Mary McGukian, the film adapts the homonymous novel by the Pullitzer-winner Thorton Wilder about a priest trying discover the reasons behind the collapse of a bridge in 18th Century Peru. The film won the Goya for Best Costume Design (Yvonne Blake) and was recently awarded the Best Film Prize in the 1st Funchal Film Festival (Madeira - Portugal). NLC-New Lineo Cinema assures the local distribution with 10 copies.