This is a small film made in a part of the world that isn't known for making films and it shows a land and people that we really don't know much about. Story takes place in the town of Mindelo, Sao Vicente in the Cabo Verde archipelogo off the coast of West Africa and Napumoceno da Silva Araujo (Nelson Xavier) is the towns most successful businessman and he dies of old age. At the reading of his will Araujo's nephew Carlos (Chico Diaz) is fully expecting to inherit his business and fortunes but to his disgust the will states that everything will go to his daughter Graca (Maria Ceica) who was born to Mari Chica (Vya Negromonte) who was a cleaning woman that worked for Araujo.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Graca inherits everything and she is also handed many audio cassettes that her father recorded telling about his life. Graca listens to them one by one and learns about her fathers life and loves. She also talks to people that knew him and she wants to track down his last known love Adelia (Karla Leal) who was a woman much younger and also in love with a sailor.
This film was directed by Francisco Manso whom is completely unknown until this film and its evident that he has a good sense of characterizations and using the beautiful landscape and countryside to help shape his film. Cieca who plays the daughter is a vision of beauty but she's not exactly jaw dropping beautiful, she has more of a natural quality to her features and she has a vast universe of charm. At the heart of this film is the performance of Xavier and he shows a comedic ability that is reminiscent of Roberto Benigni but he also displays a charm and warmth that reminded me of (Dare I say?) Jack Lemmon. This film does have an unsatisfying ending that left a few questions unanswered and Graca's search for information left untold but this is funny and romantic and you just don't see many movies from this part of the world.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Graca inherits everything and she is also handed many audio cassettes that her father recorded telling about his life. Graca listens to them one by one and learns about her fathers life and loves. She also talks to people that knew him and she wants to track down his last known love Adelia (Karla Leal) who was a woman much younger and also in love with a sailor.
This film was directed by Francisco Manso whom is completely unknown until this film and its evident that he has a good sense of characterizations and using the beautiful landscape and countryside to help shape his film. Cieca who plays the daughter is a vision of beauty but she's not exactly jaw dropping beautiful, she has more of a natural quality to her features and she has a vast universe of charm. At the heart of this film is the performance of Xavier and he shows a comedic ability that is reminiscent of Roberto Benigni but he also displays a charm and warmth that reminded me of (Dare I say?) Jack Lemmon. This film does have an unsatisfying ending that left a few questions unanswered and Graca's search for information left untold but this is funny and romantic and you just don't see many movies from this part of the world.