This preeminent Portuguese filmmaker began his career as an actor and documentary filmmaker in the 1920s and turned to fictional works in 1942. When his first feature, the brilliantly photographed children's film "Aniki-Bo" failed to find an audience, he retreated for close to 15 years before returning to moviemaking. By the time, Oliveira began to receive worldwide attention as a prominent director, he was already in his 60s. Thirty years later, he was still making accomplished films that captivated critics and audiences.

The son of a prominent businessman, Manoel de Oliveira spent part of his