Pedro Costa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pedro Costa
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| Born | 30 December 1958 Lisbon, Portugal
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| Alma mater | University of Lisbon Lisbon Theatre and Film School |
| Occupation | Film director, screenwriter |
| Years active | 1984–present |
Pedro Costa (born December 30, 1958) is a famous Portuguese film director. He is best known for making movies about people living in a poor neighborhood in Lisbon, Portugal, called Fontainhas. His films often show the lives of people who are not rich and face many challenges.
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Pedro Costa's Life and Career
After studying history at the University of Lisbon, Pedro Costa started working in films. He helped other directors before making his own first movie, O Sangue (which means 'Blood'), when he was 30 years old.
His films have won many awards over the years. For example, he won an award at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival for his movie In Vanda's Room. His film Colossal Youth was shown at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and won a special prize in 2008. Later, Horse Money won him the Best Director award at the Locarno Festival in 2014. His movie Vitalina Varela won the top prize, the Gold Leopard, at the same festival in 2019.
Filmmaking Style and Inspirations
Pedro Costa is considered part of a group of filmmakers called "The School of Reis". António Reis, another Portuguese director, was his teacher at the Lisbon Theatre and Film School.
Costa's films are known for their special look. One film critic said his movies were "lit like a Rembrandt" painting. He often uses a simple style to show people who are not famous or rich. Many of the people in his films are not professional actors; they play themselves.
He often shoots his movies using digital video. His early films mix real-life events with made-up stories, a style sometimes called docufiction. Even though he still works with non-actors, his later films have a more artistic and polished look.
Movies Set in Fontainhas
Since his film Ossos, Pedro Costa's movies have been set entirely in Fontainhas. This was a poor neighborhood on the edge of Lisbon. The people he films, often immigrants and those facing difficulties, appear as characters in many of his movies. For example, a character named Ventura is the main person in both Colossal Youth and Horse Money.
Pedro Costa's Views
Pedro Costa has used his voice to support important causes. In December 2023, he joined 50 other filmmakers in signing a letter. This letter asked for peace and an end to harm against people in the Gaza Strip. It also asked for help to reach people there and for hostages to be released.
In January 2024, he also signed another letter with over 300 other filmmakers and actors. This letter was against cuts to funding for the Argentine film agency INCAA.
Filmography
Feature Films
- O Sangue (1989)
- Casa de Lava (1994)
- Ossos (1997)
- In Vanda's Room (2000)
- Colossal Youth (2006)
- Horse Money (2014)
- Vitalina Varela (2019)
Documentaries and Short Films
- Where Does Your Hidden Smile Lie? (2001) (documentary)
- "The End of a Love Affair" (2003) (short film)
- "State of the World" (2007) -Tarrafa segment (short film)
- "Memories" (2007) - The Rabbit Hunter segment (short film)
- Change Nothing (2009) (documentary)
- "O nosso Homem" (2010) (short film)
- "Sweet Exorcist" (2012) - Centro Histórico segment (short film)
- "The Daughters of Fire" (2023) (short film)
Plays
- The Daughters of Fire (2016)
See also
In Spanish: Pedro Costa (director de cine) para niños
- Docufiction
- Ethnofiction
- List of directors associated with art film
