The Cannibals

A drama following stories of characters from the Portuguese High Society.

The Cannibals — Plot

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.

• Release date
• November 10, 1988
• Runtime
• 95 min
• Genres
• Drama, Fantasy
• Director
• Manoel de Oliveira

The Cannibals — Cast

Luís Miguel Cintra Viscount d'Aveleda Leonor Silveira Margarida Diogo Dória Don João

O

Oliveira Lopes The Presenter (lago)

P

Pedro T. da Silva Niccolo

J

Joel Costa Urbano Solar Rogério Samora Peralta

R

Rogério Vieira The Magistrate