Luxbox Introduces Three Classic Films by João Pedro Rodrigues
Paris Sales Company Luxbox Acquires Early Works of João Pedro Rodrigues
Luxbox, a Paris-based sales company, has acquired the first three films of Portuguese director João Pedro Rodrigues, marking the launch of its third classic collection. This announcement comes on the heels of Luxbox’s acquisition of the complete filmography of the late Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr, who passed away last month at the age of 70. Additionally, Luxbox has secured a selection of 34 feature and short films by renowned Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira.
The newly acquired titles—Phantom (2000), Two Drifters (2005), and To Die Like a Man (2009)—embody Rodrigues’ exploration of human desire, particularly emphasizing queer experiences.
Phantom, Rodrigues’ debut feature, tells the story of Sergio, a trash collector in Lisbon who spends his nights seeking anonymous connections. In Two Drifters, Rui faces the emotional fallout of losing his lover Pedro on their anniversary, leading him to form a bond with Odete, a woman fixated on Pedro, whom she never knew.
To Die Like a Man, which premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, follows a transgender woman grappling with her past while navigating a complex relationship with a young male lover and a troubled son.
These films, produced by Rosa Filmes, have recently undergone restoration from original 35 mm negatives preserved by the Portuguese Cinematheque. The restoration process, which included scanning, digital restoration, and color correction, was carried out by Cineric Portugal in collaboration with Irma Lucia Efeitos Especiais. The digital sound restoration was conducted by Hugo Leitão.
Both the digitization and restoration efforts were coordinated by the Cinemateca Portuguesa – Museu do Cinema as part of the FILMar project, funded by the European Financial Mechanism EEA Grants 2020–2024.
“Luxbox is thrilled to represent the early works of this daring filmmaker, whose cinema explores desire, eroticism, and the raw instincts of human behavior,” the company stated.
