A Sombra dos Abutres (1998)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Leonel Vieira

Writer:

Leonel Vieira (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 April 1999 (Portugal)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Two simple, unassuming, apolitical men have their lives changed forever when they find themselves hunted by agents of the ruling dictatorship. |

Plot Keywords:

Masturbation | Interrogation | 1960s | Lesbian | Escape

Awards:

7 wins

Cast

Vítor Norte	...	Daniel
Diogo Infante	...	Zé
José Eduardo	...	António
José Wallenstein	...	Pide
Fátima Belo	...	Helena
Raquel Maria	...	Maria
Ivo Serra	...	Abílio
Orlando Costa	...	Police Officer 1
António Melo	...	Police Officer 2
José Pires	...	Diamantino
Leandro Vale
Luís Alberto	...	Teacher
Canto e Castro	...	Colonel
Begoña Hernando	...	Carmen
Artur Grande	...	Sargeant Alves

Also Known As:

In the Shadow of the Vultures (International: English title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Portugal

Language:

Portuguese | Spanish

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Argozelo, Portugal

Company:

Inforfilmes

"What can a little stone do against the waters of a river?"

A SOMBRA DOS ABUTRES was the first film Leonel Vieira directed (he also wrote the screenplay), and it was nothing bad for a debut I must say! It was the beginning of a promising (and we can say successful yet!) directing career.

The plot is set in Northeast Portugal in a region near the border called Trás-os-Montes in 1961 when Portugal was ruled by a dictatorship and controlled by P.I.D.E. (a police of the regime who oppressed those who were against it). The characters are mainly two, DANIEL (Vitor Norte) and ZÉ (Diogo Infante), simple and rural men. ZÉ was once arrested by P.I.D.E but he was released. But while he was working in the mines the police start searching him again to arrest him one more time. He escapes to his home and together with ZÉ both kill two P.I.D.E. agents. An attempt to run away to Spain begins...

It's a nice movie essentially because of the symbolism it has and for the description of a troubled era in our country. The title is very suggestive because it's a reference to the suffocating oppression that police did to all of those who fought or just were politically against the regime. I remember especially one quote of the movie that resumes this unequal "battle" very well; it's when the inspector sarcastically says: "I know these rural men are strong as stones... but what can a little stone do against the waters of a river?"... It's a sarcastic but true description of this "cat and mouse fight"...

Technically the movie is not perfect but the acting is quite good. I just didn't like Diogo Infante trying to imitate the Northeast accent (Just because he didn't it well. So I think he should have spoken normally as did Vitor Norte!). I liked the ending. I think it was a cruel but realistic ending. It made me score this movie with an extra point.

It's a nice film and a "document" of our recent History; and a great debut for Leonel Vieira as well. I score it 7/10.