In the Shadow of Desire and Artistic Madness: “Cherchez La Femme” by António da Cunha Telles

Imagine a story set in the hazy, aristocratic, and melancholic atmosphere of turn-of-the-century (Fin-de-Siècle) Lisbon… On one side, the destructive friendship of two intellectual poets; on the other, a mysterious woman shaking this relationship to its core and a perception of reality whose boundaries are constantly blurred… The veteran director of Portuguese cinema, António da Cunha Telles, invites the audience to the intersection of fiction, passion, and madness with the psychological period drama Cherchez La Femme, which met viewers on April 15, 2026.

Inspired by the literary legacy of Mário de Sá-Carneiro, one of the most important and tragic figures of Portuguese modernism, the production—with its 90-minute screenplay written by Rita Benis and Pedro Marta Santos—centers on the artist’s destructive war with his own mind rather than a simple love triangle.

From a Love Triangle to a Psychological Puzzle

The intellectual and spiritual intimacy between playwright Lúcio Vaz and charismatic poet Ricardo de Loureiro turns into a deep emotional turmoil when the mysterious Marta enters their lives. As lust, jealousy, and philosophical ambiguities increase, the boundaries between the characters’ own identities and artistic obsessions begin to melt away.

Director da Cunha Telles constructs the story not with the pace of a classic period drama, but through a slow-moving atmosphere woven with symbols. Theatrical dialogues, magnificent Lisbon locations, and internal conflicts make the audience ask the question: “Is what we see a reality, or a reflection of the poets’ artistic madness?”

Power in Simplicity: Acting and Cinematography

One of the film’s greatest successes is the actors’ ability to convey emotional states through gazes and silence full of insinuation, rather than exaggerated dramatic reactions. Ângelo Rodrigues (Lúcio Vaz) portrays a man transitioning from intellectual self-confidence to psychological vulnerability with immense composure. Accompanied by him, Romeu Costa (Ricardo) successfully carries the mysterious poet profile, while Joana Barradas (Marta) forms the main mystery engine of the film with the ambiguity she adds to her character.

Presenting Lisbon’s historical texture as an extension of the characters’ state of mind rather than just a venue, the visuals possess a painterly aesthetic. Muted color palettes, controlled use of light, and long takes construct the visual language of desire, solitude, and artistic obsession.

Cinema Recommendations for Those Who Like Similar Atmospheres

If you enjoyed the literary depth, poetic cinematography, and psychological tension of Cherchez La Femme, these period masterpieces should also be on your list:

• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019 – Céline Sciamma): Handles the gaze, unspoken desires, and the striking effect of art on female identity through a similar aesthetic.

• The Danish Girl (2015 – Tom Hooper): Asks similar philosophical questions on themes of artistic expression, personal transformation, and emotional vulnerability.

• The Happy Prince (2018 – Rupert Everett): Focusing on the final years of Oscar Wilde, the production explores the heavy costs of artistic genius and resisting societal molds.

NO-26 Editor’s Film Note

Film: Cherchez La Femme (2026)

Director: António da Cunha Telles

Duration: 90 Minutes

Vibe: Poetic, literary, slow-paced, visually enchanting, and philosophical.

Target Audience: Those interested in Portuguese literature, European art cinema enthusiasts, and psychological/philosophical period drama lovers.

Warning: For viewers looking for action, fast pacing, or a clear detective mystery, the film’s meditative and ambiguous structure may feel slow.

Cherchez La Femme is a refined work of art bringing the dark and passionate spirit of Portuguese modernism to the silver screen. Rather than offering ready-made answers to its audience, it is a lingering literary adaptation that invites them to reflect on the elastic nature of desire and identity.