The Cannibals
“A drama following stories of characters from the Portuguese High Society.”
This odd film is a major representative of an even odder film genre: direct-to-celluloid opera. It was commissioned by the Portuguese master of style, director Manoel de Oliveira from composer João Paes. Musically, it ranges from 19th-century romanticism to popular, modernist and even "post-modernist" styles. In the initially tame story, a host-narrator tells the story of a wedding between the two lovebirds: Viscount d'Aveleda and the beautiful Marguerite. However, what happens in the bridal chamber is incredibly bizarre. The events after that are even stranger, and the wedding guests and family indulge in cannibalism, among other perversions.
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Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
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Cast
16 people
Manoel de Oliveira Director · João Paes Writer Álvaro do Carvalhal Author
First release May 20, 1988 · Produced in Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland · Production Gemini Films, La Sept Cinéma
Production
Filmargem
Production
Gemini Films
Production
La Sept Cinéma
Production
Germany · France · Italy · Portugal · Switzerland
Produced in
Languages
Original title
Os Canibais
Original language
Portuguese
Spoken on screen
Portuguese
Release dates
France · May 20, 1988
Premiere · Cannes Film Festival
Portugal · November 10, 1988
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
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