An Outpost of Progress Posto Avançado do Progresso
At the end of the nineteenth century, two inexperienced Portuguese colonizers, with a vague intention of civilizing the colonies, disembark in a remote part of the Congo River in order to coordinate a trading post.
As time goes by, they become increasingly demoralized by their inability to profit from the ivory trade. A mutual feeling of distrust and misunderstadings with the locals isolate them at the heart of the tropical jungle. Faced with each other, they begin a journey towards the abyss.
Festivals and awards
Berlin International Film Festival
Forum
Las Palmas Internacional Film Festival
Best Actor Award - David Caracol
Cast and crew
Starring
Nuno Lopes - João de Mattos
Ivo Alexandre - Sant`Anna
David Caracol - Makola
Inês Helena
António Mpinda
José Manuel Mendes
Cleonise Malulo
Domingos Sita
Miguel Delfina (Pagé)
Written and directed by Hugo Vieira da Silva
Based on the story “An Outpost of Progress” by Joseph Conrad
Produced by Paulo Branco, Ana Pinhão Moura
First assistant director Pedro Madeira
Sound Pierre Tucat
Cinematography Fernando Lockett
Art direction Isabel Branco
Editing Paulo Mil Homens
Decors João Dourado Santos
Costume design Tânia Franco
Make-up Íris Peleira
Casting Zé G. Pires
Choreography assistant Cláudia Dias
Unit production manager Sofia Carvalho
First assistant camera Inés Duacastella
Key grip Guillermo Saposnik
Sound mixing and editing António Lopes
Foley artist Pascal Maziere
Colorist Marco Amaral
Production Alfama Films
In co-production with Leopardo Filmes
Executive production República Filmes
With the support of RTP and ICA
International sales and festivals: Alfama Films
Director's biography
Born in Oporto, Portugal. After studying law at the Catholic university in Oporto from 1992 to 1995, Hugo Vieira da Silva graduated from the Lisbon School of Theater and Cinema (ESTC). After receiving a grant from the Nipkow Grant fellowship programme 2003 he moved to Berlin.
His first feature film, “Body Rice” (2006) produced by Paulo Branco, won several intrenational awards, most notably: “Special Mention” of the Official competition in Locarno (2006), the “Best Director” award in Buenos Aires (Bafici 2007) and in Mexico City (Ficco 2007). Furthermore, the film was selected for several competitive international sections and distributed in Portugal and France.
“Swans” (2011) his second feature was selected for “l'Atelier” at the Cannes Film Festival (2009), Binger Filmlab (2008) and awarded at the Torino Filmlab Development (2008). Distributed in several countries by The Match Factory, “Swans” was selected for the Berlinale Official Selection 2011 (Forum) and several other international festivals.
He just finished his new feature film “Outpost of Progress” (2016)- a Portuguese mimicry of the Joseph Conrad story (1897) produced again by Paulo Branco and shot in Africa near the Congo River (Angola). Hugo Vieira da Silva currently lives and works between Vienna (Austria) and Lisbon.
