Traffic (1998 film)
| Traffic | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | João Botelho |
| Screenplay by | João Botelho |
| Produced by | Paulo Branco |
| Starring | Joaquim Oliveira Rita Blanco Adriano Luz |
| Cinematography | Olivier Guéneau |
| Edited by | Rudolfo Wedeles |
Release date |
|
| Language | Portuguese |
Traffic (Portuguese: Tráfico) is a 1998 satirical comedy film written and directed by João Botelho. A co-production between Portugal, France and Denmark, it premiered into the main competition at the 55th Venice International Film Festival.
Plot
Cast
- Joaquim Oliveira as Jesus
- Rita Blanco as Mother of Jesus
- Adriano Luz as Hélio
- Maria Emília Correia as Amélia Castro
- Henrique Canto e Castro as Hipólito
- Paulo Bragança as Lino
- Branca de Camargo as Redhead
- Nuno Melo as Gigolo
- João Perry as Bankier
- Alexandra Lencastre as Banker's Mistress
- Isabel de Castro as Casca
- Laura Soveral as Cassius
- Suzana Borges as Cicero
Production
The film was shot between Lisbon, Cascais, Beja and Vila Real de Santo António.[1] Botelho described it as a film in which he "depicted the state of the whole country as it is now - the trafficking of everything, of influence, of money, of women".[2]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the 55th edition of the Venice Film Festival, in which it entered the main competition; it was released in Portugal in December 1998.[3]
Reception
In Portugal, the film was a box office success, with about 40,000 admissions.[4]
Mariuccia Ciotta from il manifesto praised the film, describing it as "caustic, sharp, colourful" and noting its Luis Buñuel, Manoel de Oliveira, and Pedro Almodóvar influences.[5]
Further reading
- Rooney, David (28 September 1998). "Traffic". Variety. Vol. 372, no. 7. p. 52.
References
- ^ Cardiga Santos, Luís (October 2017). "A presença de Lisboa no cinema português Quatro olhares (anos 30-60)" (PDF). A torre da música. ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon. p. 227. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ Redação DN (23 August 2008). "Ele filma o Portugal sempre de aqui e agora". Diário de Notícias. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ "Tráfico / 1998" (PDF). Cinemateca Portuguesa. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ Lemière, Jacques (December 2005). "«Um centro na margem»: o caso do cinema português". Análise Social. XLI (160): 757. Retrieved 14 November 2025 – via ResearchGate.
- ^ Ciotta, Mariuccia (8 September 1998). "La nera società della commedia". il manifesto (in Italian). Retrieved 14 November 2025.