Os Óculos do Vovô (Grandpa's Glasses) is a Brazilian silent film from 1913, and the oldest Brazilian fiction film still preserved.[1]
| Os Óculos do Vovô | |
|---|---|
 "When boys are naughty, moms get mad" | |
| Directed by | Francisco Santos |
| Cinematography | Francisco Xavier |
Production company | Guarany Fábrica de Fitas Cinematográficas |
| Distributed by | Guarany Fábrica de Fitas Cinematográficas |
Release date |
|
Running time | 15 minutes |
| Country | Brazil |
| Language | Mute |
Directed by the Portuguese Francisco Dias Ferreira dos Santos (1873–1937),[2] the film was originally produced in the city of Pelotas by the company Guarany Fábrica de Fitas Cinematográficas.[3] Fragments of it were rescued in the 1970s[4] and the version that's been preserved is just over four minutes.[5]
Plot edit
The film tells the simple but amusing story of a "naughty" boy who paints the lenses of his sleeping grandfather's glasses. The man wakes up and thinks he has gone blind, creating a series of confusions in the house.
Cast edit
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Francisco Santos | Grandpa |
| Jorge Diniz | Alberto Silva (Father) |
| Graziela Diniz | Mother |
| Oscar Araújo | Doctor Silveira |
| Mário Ferreira dos Santos | Grandchild |
Production edit
The short film was produced by Guarany Fábrica de Fitas Cinematográficas in 1913, in the city of Pelotas. The location chosen was Souza Soares Park. The director was Francisco Santos, who also wrote and played the character "grandpa".[6] The grandson was played by Mário Ferreira dos Santos.[6] Only 4 minutes and 34 seconds of the work, which originally had two parts, were rescued.[6]
Rediscovery edit
The short was considered lost for years until Michael Antônio Jesus Pfeil, a researcher, identified a copy in São Paulo, held by Yolanda l'Huillier, Francisco Santos' granddaughter. The material was retrieved at the School of Communications and Arts of USP[4][5] and had his own soundtrack added.[5]
Release edit
The short film was released on 1 May 1913 at the Coliseu Santa Mariense in Santa Maria.[6] In 2009, it was shown at the Festival de Gramado.[4][5]
References edit
- ^ "Universidade promove concurso audiovisual 'Os Óculos do Vovô'" [University promotes audiovisual competition 'Os Óculos do Vovô']. redeglobo.globo.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 13 January 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "Jornal Minuano – Bagé/RS – Notícia – Legado desaparecido" [Jornal Minuano – Bagé/RS – News – Missing legacy]. www.jornalminuano.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 13 January 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "Pelotas, Capital Cultural: Resgatando Os Óculos do Vovô" [Pelotas, Cultural Capital: Rescuing Os Óculos do Vovô]. pelotascultural.blogspot.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ a b c "Antônio Jesus Pfeil leva raridade a Gramado" [Antonio Jesus Pfeil takes rarity to Gramado] (in Brazilian Portuguese). 7 August 2009. Archived from the original on 10 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d "OS ÓCULOS DO VOVÔ, 1913, Pelotas, RS" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 11 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Os Óculos do Vovô". cinemateca (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
