Portugal10 Essential Portuguese FilmsStop 8 of 10

Vitalina Varela

Name: Vitalina Varela
Released: 2019

2019

A Cape Verdean woman arrives in Lisbon just days after her estranged husband's funeral, and moves through the shadows of the immigrant quarter piecing together the secret life he led without her. Pedro Costa's stunningly composed, grief-soaked drama.

Why it’s here

A Cape Verdean woman navigates her way through Lisbon, following the scanty physical traces her deceased husband left behind and discovering his secret, illicit life.

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Part of 10 Essential Portuguese Films

This film is stop 8 of 10 in the hand-ranked native-cinema route through Portugal. See the complete ranking or read the selection methodology.

Watching this film stamps Portugal in the 196 country film challenge.