Voyage to the Beginning of the World Poster

Voyage to the Beginning of the World 1997

★ 6.617 votes95 min📅 1997-05-16

In the reflective 1997 drama *Voyage to the Beginning of the World*, legendary Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira embarks on a contemplative journey across Portugal with a small film crew. Their mission?

Director: Manoel de Oliveira

Cast

Marcello Mastroianni
Marcello Mastroianni
Manoel
Jean-Yves Gautier
Jean-Yves Gautier
Afonso
Leonor Silveira
Leonor Silveira
Judite
Diogo Dória
Diogo Dória
Duarte
Isabel de Castro
Isabel de Castro
Maria Afonso
Cécile Sanz de Alba
Cristina
José Pinto
José Pinto
José Afonso
Adelaide Teixeira
Adelaide Teixeira
Senhora
Isabel Ruth
Isabel Ruth
Olga
Manoel de Oliveira
Manoel de Oliveira
Driver

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Voyage to the Beginning of the World (1997) about?

The film follows an aging director and his crew as they trace the origins of a French actor's Portuguese father, uncovering personal and historical ties along the way. Their road trip becomes a journey through memory, time, and the shifting borders of identity.

Who directed Voyage to the Beginning of the World?

Manoel de Oliveira, one of Portugal's most revered filmmakers, directed the film.

Who stars in Voyage to the Beginning of the World?

The ensemble cast features Marcello Mastroianni, Jean-Yves Gautier, Leonor Silveira, and Diogo Dória.

Is Voyage to the Beginning of the World (1997) worth watching?

While it's unrated on IMDb, the film's introspective drama and Oliveira's signature direction make it a compelling watch for fans of arthouse cinema. Its themes of identity and memory resonate deeply, though its slow pace may not suit all viewers.

How long is Voyage to the Beginning of the World?

The film runs for 95 minutes.

About Voyage to the Beginning of the World (1997) — A reflective journey through Portugal's landscapes

In the reflective 1997 drama *Voyage to the Beginning of the World*, legendary Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira embarks on a contemplative journey across Portugal with a small film crew. Their mission? To uncover the roots of Afonso, a celebrated French actor whose father once made the reverse migration from Portugal to France. Along the way, memories of youth and the passage of time intertwine with the landscapes and histories of the land itself.

As the group travels, the director confronts his own fading sense of life's beginnings, blending personal nostalgia with a broader meditation on displacement, identity, and the echoes of the past. With its quiet introspection and sweeping visuals, the film becomes more than a travelogue—it's a poignant exploration of where we come from and what we carry forward.