Paulo Branco, a 76-year-old Portuguese film producer, is being honored with a complete retrospective at the Cinemateca Portuguesa. Starting September 11, and over approximately 30 months, more than 270 films he produced will be screened, covering the entirety of his career.
In the interview given, Paulo Branco describes himself as the biggest "maverick" in Portuguese cinema, someone who followed his own independent path in the film industry. He admits he can be arrogant, but states that what he hates most is pretentiousness.
The producer shares adventure stories that are intertwined with his own life, revealing the unpredictable and courageous nature of his work. He also recalls some of the films he considered "impossible" to produce, such as "Non, or the Vain Glory of Commanding" by Manoel de Oliveira and "Cosmopolis" by David Cronenberg, demonstrating his ability to bring projects considered unviable by other producers to fruition.
