FOGO-FÁTUO (2022)
dir. João Pedro Rodrigues
On his deathbed, his royal highness Alfredo, King without a crown, is taken back to distant youth memories and the time he pursued his dream of becoming a fireman. In 2011, Alfredo's encounter with instructor Afonso from the fire brigade opens a new chapter in the life of the two young men devoted to love and desire, and the will to change the status quo.
(link in title)
I feel like monster movies would benefit from the portuguese word "bicho". It's a very casual, informal synonym for animal, which adds a skrunkliness to it. I've watched Nope and that was fucking bicho if I've ever seen one.
O FANTASMA (2000)
dir. João Pedro Rodrigues
Young and handsome Sergio works the night shift as a trash collector in Lisbon, Portugal. He can't force himself to connect with his pretty female co-worker Fatima, who displays an avid interest in him, so instead Sergio roams the city with the trash company's pet dog. Eventually Sergio becomes fascinated with a sleek motorcycle, and then also its owner, João - a young man totally indifferent to Sergio. The frustrated trash collector's surfacing sexual desires unleash his darkest impulses, sending him down a dangerous path of violence, depravity and degradation.
(link in title)
death screaming in frustration "why the hell did I play with my food?!" at himself and then letting puss go with a very classy "live your life, puss in boots. live it well." is precisely what sold me on his whole character, god dreamworks really went off on his lines