In this interview, Joáo Bénard da Costa, director of the Portuguese National Film Archives, speaks with a 96-year-old dean of fellow film directors. These two lifelong champions of culture – encompassing music, painting, literature, and film – engage in an open, at times hesitant, conversation. They explore the director's creative power, the deeper philosophies within classic films, cinematic techniques, and the significance of color, sound, and music. The discussion spans the divide between art and entertainment, among other topics. The interview unfolds in a museum room, with seating arranged before "The Annunciation," a 1510 painting by João Vaz. This prompts a discussion about Leonardo da Vinci and the dynamic between influential masters and their followers.
