The Strange Case of Angelica (2010)

A photographer is asked by hotel owners to take portraits of their recently deceased daughter.

Director:

Manoel de Oliveira

Writer:

Manoel de Oliveira (screenplay)

Stars:

Pilar López de Ayala, Filipe Vargas, Isabel Ruth

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Pilar López de Ayala	...	Angélica
Filipe Vargas	...	Marido
Isabel Ruth	...	Criada
Sara Carinhas	...	Maria(Freira / Nun)-Mãe de angélica / Angélica's mother
Ricardo Trêpa	...	Isaac / photographer
Leonor Silveira	...	Avó de Angélica / Angélica's grandmother
Ana Maria Magalhães	...	Clementina
Luís Miguel Cintra	...	Engenheiro
Adelaide Teixeira	...	Justina / Isaac's landlady
Carmen Santos	...	Mulher do Fotógrafo / Photographer Woman
José Manuel Mendes	...	Dr. Matias
Paulo Matos	...	Homem da Gabardine
Ricardo Aibéo	...	Mendigo
Sofia de Portugal	...	Enfermeira
Daniela Costa	...	Amiga Angélica 1

Storyline

A magical tale about a young photographer who falls madly in love with a woman he can never have, except in his dreams. Late one night, Isaac is summoned by a wealthy family to take the last photograph of a young bride, Angelica, who mysteriously passed away. Arriving at their estate, Isaac is struck by Angelica's beauty, but when he looks through his lens, something strange happens - the young woman appears to come to life. From that moment, Isaac will be haunted by Angelica day and night.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The director came up with the idea for the movie 60 years ago, when he witnessed a similar scenario, to the point that the real dead woman was named Angélica.

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Goofs

Isaac does photographic darkroom work in an undarkened room.

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Connections

Featured in Starfilm (2017)

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Soundtracks

Mazurca, Op.59
Music by Frédéric Chopin
Performed by Maria João Pires (piano)

User Reviews

A ghost story - sort of

I was informed before the showing that Director Manoel de Oliviera was over 100 years old when he directed this film. So I took that into consideration. That may be one of the reasons I did not walk out half way through the screening.

However, in retrospect, this is not a bad film, but one that is very personal (for the director) to the extent it may not connect with everyone. Many inserts to the film (e.g. the labourers in the field) may have no bearing to the story but they were there. And an average Joe like me couldn't understand the reason why they were there. Metaphor, poetry, or scenery diversion may be the reasons but I could not tell.

In a sense it is a story about a young photographer losing his mind, and eventually his health, as a result of the escalating obsession following an encounter with a beautiful, dead woman. That I can relate to. But the story could definitely be told in a more lively, and less arty fashion to appeal to a larger audience.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] The Cinema Guild [United States]

Country:

Portugal Spain France Brazil

Language:

Portuguese

Release Date:

16 March 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

El extraño caso de Angélica

Box Office

Budget:

EUR2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,499, 2 January 2011

Gross USA:

$50,135

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$160,876

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films de l'Après-Midi, Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC), Eddie Saeta S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1