20/08/2007

The latest Portuguese productions by directors João Canijo and Manoel de Oliveira – Mal nascida and Cristovão Colombo – O Enigma, respectively – will participate in the 64th Venice Film Festival (August 28-September 8).

A Cannes regular, Canijo (Ganhar a Vida and Noite Escura were part of Un Certain Regard, respectively, in 2001 and 2004) will be on the Lido for the first time with another film backed by his long-time producer Paulo Branco for Lisbon-based Clap Filmes.

Competing in the Orizzonti section, Mal nascida brings together actors Anabela Moreira, Márcia Breia, Fernando Luís, Gonçalo Waddington and Tiago Rodrigues in another dark family tale, set in the Portuguese countryside. Atalanta is scheduled to distribute the film locally in January 2008.

After an unexpected homage to Buñuel, veteran de Oliveira will be back in Venice with an enquiry into the nationality of navigator Christopher Columbus. Cristovão Colombo – O Enigma was shot in Portugal and the US last spring (news) and will be shown out of competition.

Supporting actors in Belle Toujours [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Ricardo Trepa and Leonor Baldaque here play the leads in the Filmes do Tejo production. The local release date has yet to be announced.