A Talking Picture (2003)
"Um Filme Falado" (original title)

A meditation on civilization. July, 2001: friends wave as a cruise ship departs Lisbon for Mediterranean ports and the Indian Ocean. On board and on day trips in Marseilles, Pompeii, Athens... See full summary »

Director:

Manoel de Oliveira

Writer:

Manoel de Oliveira (scenario and dialogue)

Stars:

Leonor Silveira, Filipa de Almeida, John Malkovich

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Leonor Silveira	...	Rosa Maria
Filipa de Almeida	...	Maria Joana
John Malkovich	...	Comandante John Walesa
Catherine Deneuve	...	Delfina
Stefania Sandrelli	...	Francesca
Irene Papas	...	Helena
Luís Miguel Cintra	...	Himself - Portuguese Actor
Michel Lubrano di Sbaraglione	...	Pescador
François Da Silva	...	Cliente do Pescador
Nikos Hatzopoulos	...	Padre Ortodoxo
Antònio Ferraiolo	...	Cicerone Pompeia
Alparslan Salt	...	Cicerone Museu de Santa Sophia
Ricardo Trêpa	...	Oficial
David Cardoso	...	Oficial
Júlia Buisel	...	Amiga de Delfina

Storyline

A meditation on civilization. July, 2001: friends wave as a cruise ship departs Lisbon for Mediterranean ports and the Indian Ocean. On board and on day trips in Marseilles, Pompeii, Athens, Istanbul, and Cairo, a professor tells her young daughter about myth, history, religion, and wars. Men approach her; she's cool, on her way to her husband in Bombay. After Cairo, for two evenings divided by a stop in Aden, the captain charms three successful, famous (and childless) women, who talk with wit and intellect, each understanding the others' native tongue, a European union. The captain asks mother and child to join them. He gives the girl a gift. Helena sings. Life can be sweet.

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Plot Keywords:

bombay | pompeii | cruise ship | ocean | professor | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | History | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Madragoa Filmes [pt]

Country:

Portugal France Italy

Language:

Portuguese French Italian English Greek

Release Date:

15 October 2003 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

A Talking Picture

Filming Locations:

Athens, Greece

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$5,325 (USA) (10 December 2004)

Gross:

$12,978 (USA) (21 January 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Madragoa Filmes, Gemini Films, Mikado Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

The most interesting vacation i've ever had.

Great movie. It was absolutely delightful to see some of the most important places in our history and to listen to such great explanations. I specially liked when the little girl asked her mother for the meaning of some words that, even though we use a lot in every day conversation, almost no one knows its precise meaning. I understand the ending is a clear political (or civil) message to the audience, and i give de oliveira credit for being so brave, but i think he might have over-simplified the issue of terrorism. A word to the argentine film student who wrote that this movie was worthless: please drop out of school.