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Poster for The Cannibals
Filmargem

The Cannibals

1988 95 min Portuguese
Wubly rating 7.0 IMDb rating 7.0

“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 streaming anywhere

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

First release May 20, 1988 · Produced in Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland · Production Gemini Films, La Sept Cinéma

Production

F

Filmargem

Production

G

Gemini Films

Production

L

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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