António Cohen da Cunha Telles was born on February 26, 1935 in Funchal, Madeira . He studied Medicine in the University of Lisbon . He went to Paris around 1956, studying film-making at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Cinematographiques (IDHEC), graduating in 1961.
Back to Portugal, he ran a newspaper called Imagens de Portugal (Images of Portugal) , and assumed leading functions at the Cinema Services of State Entities.
His directing debut was made with the documentary Os Transportes (1962), and starts activity as a producer, becoming one of the essential names of the Portuguese New Cinema (Novo Cinema) movement. He produces Os Verdes Anos (1963) by Paulo Rocha and Belarmino (1964) by Fernando Lopes .
In 1970, Cunha Telles directed his first feature-film, O Cerco . Meanwhile, he established a distribution company (Animatógrafo) which becomes responsible for a revolution in the kind of cinema seen in Portugal in the first half of the 1970s. Eisenstein, Tanner , Jorge Sanjines, Littín , Glauber Rocha , Vigo , Gilles Carle , Karmitz , among others, became more familiar to the Portuguese audience through that distributor.
During the 1970s, Telles directed three films: Meus Amigos (1974) and Continuar a Viver (1976) signed by himself, As Armas e o Povo (1975) together with other directors. In the end of the decade, Cunha Telles is found high placed as the leader of the Portuguese Cinema Institute and the Tobis Portuguesa .
In 1983, returns to production, since the Animatógrafo firm was divided in one sector of distribution (still in activity, conducted by Renée Gagnon - the current Marfilmes ) and one sector of production, headed by himself (together with his daughter Pandora da Cunha Telles - the current Filmes de Fundo), which is dedicated to its own productions as well as assuring executive productions of foreign films partially shot in Portugal, counting since that date with a large number of productions, with films directed by names like José Fonseca e Costa , Eduardo Geada , Joaquim Leitão , Edgar Pêra , António de Macedo , António-Pedro Vasconcelos and among several telefilms and a countless number of executive productions.
The most recent films directed by Cunha Telles are Vidas (1984), Pandora (1996) and, more recently, Kiss Me (2004), the first and only cinematic experience of the top model Marisa Cruz.
Kiss Me (2004)Pandora (1996)Vidas (1984)Continuar a Viver (1976)As Armas e o Povo (1975)- various directorsMeus Amigos (1974)O Cerco (1970)Os Transportes (1962)Quinze Pontos na Alma , by Vicente Alves do Ó (2009)How to Draw a Perfect Circle , by Marco Martins (2009)América (filme)|América , by João Nuno Pinto (2009)A Corte do Norte , by João Botelho (2008)Terra Sonâmbula , by Teresa Prata (2007)Hotel Tivoli , by Antón Reixa (2007)Nome de Código: Sintra , by Jorge Paixão da Costa (2007, TV series)O Mistério da Estrada de Sintra , by Jorge Paixão da Costa (2007)Parte de Mim , by Margarida Leitão (2006)Fin de curso , by Miguel Martí (2005)Entre o Desejo e o Destino , by Vicente Alves do Ó (2005, curta-metragem)Macao sans retour , by Michale Boganim (2004)Kiss Me , by António da Cunha Telles (2004)Maria e as Outras , by José Sá Caetano (2004)Jaime , by António-Pedro Vasconcelos (1998)Sur un air de mambo , by Jean-Louis Bertucelli (1996)Pandora , by António Da Cunha Telles (1996)Passagem por Lisboa , by Eduardo Geada (1994)Aqui na Terra , by João Botelho (1993)A Linha do Horizonte , by Fernando Lopes (1992)Requiem para um Narciso , by João Pedro Ruivo (1992, TV series "A La Minute")Rosa Negra , by Margarida Gil (1991)Le Blocus , by José Fonseca e Costa (1990, TV series "Napoleon et l'Europe" )O Bobo , by José Álvaro Morais (1987)Uma Aventura em Lisboa , by Eduardo Geada (1989, TV series)Sans peur et sans reproche , by Gérard Jugnot (1988)Paraíso Perdido , by Alberto Seixas Santos (1986)Vidas , by António da Cunha Telles (1983)Contactos , by Leandro Ferreira (1982)Saudades Para D. Genciana , by Eduardo Geada (1981)Uma Experiência , by Paulo Rocha (1970, short)Alta Velocidade , by António de Macedo (1967, short)Mudar de Vida , by Paulo Rocha (1966)Domingo à Tarde , by António de Macedo (1966)O Trigo e o Joio , by Manuel Guimarães (1965)Catembe , by Faria de Almeida (1965)As Ilhas Encantadas , by Carlos Vilardebó (1965)The Crime of Aldeia Velha , by Manuel Guimarães (1964)La peau douce , by François Truffaut (1964, co-production)Belarmino , by Fernando Lopes (1964)Le triangle circulaire , by Pierre Kast (1964, co-production)Not Three , by A. Dornet (1964)Portuguese Vacation , by Pierre Kast (1963, co-production)Les Chemins du Soleil , by Carlos Vilardebó (1963, short)Os Verdes Anos , by Paulo Rocha (1963)P.X.O. , de Pierre Kast e J. Daniel Valcroze (1962, short)2007
UNE FAMILLE FORMIDABLE 7 , (CARRERE GROUP)SANS ARME NI HAINE NI VIOLENCE , (VERTIGO/ELIA FILMS)LA REINE MORTE , (GETEVE)SWEET VALENTINE , (ONYX FILMS)
2006
UN AMOUR DE FANTOME , (MADE IN PM)FRAGIL(S) , (ELIA FILMS)2005
UNE FAMILLE FORMIDABLE 6 , (CARRERE GROUP)TERESA O CORPO DE CRISTO , (IBEROAMERICANA)2004
JULIE DE MAUPIN , MASCARET – Charlotte BransdtromFRANCK RIVA , LEGENDE ENTREPRISES – Patrick JamainANIMAL , LEGENDE PRODUCTIONS – Roselyne Bosch2003
LES THIBAULT , (SEPTEMBRE PRODUCTIONS) - Jean-Daniel VerhaegheMARIA E AS OUTRAS , José Sá CaetanoOS IMORTAIS , (SAMSA FILMS) – António Pedro VasconcelosLE PAYS DE ENFANTS PERDUS , FLACH FILMMARIAGE MIXTE , ALEXANDRE FILMS – Alexandre Arcady LAGARDÉRE , TELFRANCE - Henry HelmanVILLA POUR DEUX , CITY PRODUCTIONS – Charlotte BrandstromINTIMES CONVICTIONS , GMT PRODUCTIONS – Jean Teddy FilipeJEUX DANGEREUX , FIT PRODUCTIONS – Patrick Dewolf2002
RUY BLAS ,(GMT) - Jacques WeberVOLPONE ,(GMT) - Frederic AuburtinLE PACTE DU SILENCE ,(LEGENDE ENTREPRISES) – Graham GuitRETOUR AUX SOURCES , (EXPAND IMAGES) Didier GroussetLES FRANGINES , (DEMD) – Laurence KatrianLE FURET , (SUPER WOMAN PRODUCTION) – Didier GroussetAURELIEN , (SUPER WOMAN PRODUCTIONS) – Arnauld SélignacTROP JEUNE POUR MOURIR , (FLACH FILMS) - Patrick Poubel
2001
MADAME DE ,(SEPTEMBRE PRODUCTIONS)MAUSOLEE POUR UNE GARCE ,(NELKA FILMS)AMICI PER LA PELE , (TITANUS SPA)BRIGAD ,(GROUPE EXPAND/MARS INTERNATIONAL FICTIONS)TOUT SEULS ,(ALYA PRODUCTIONS)UN WEEK-END POUR LE DIRE ,(ALYA PRODUCTIONS)BRIGAD ,(GROUPE EXPAND – MARS INTERNATIONAL FICTIONS)JUSTICE DE FEMME , (HAMSTER PRODUCTIONS)FAMILLE FORMIDABLE Nº5 ,(EGO PRODUCTIONS)UN MOIS A NOUS ,(HAMSTER PRODUCTIONS)SCENES INTIMES , (FLACH FILM) - Catherine BreillatJUSTICE DE FEMME ,(HAMSTER PRODUCTION)2000
PARANOIA (LE SABRE) , by Mr. PoubelleLES FILLES A PAPA , (MARS INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS) - Marc RivièreLIRE LA MORT ,(CINETEVE) - Arnauld de Sélignac1999
PASSEUR D'ENFANTS A LISBONNE , DEMD PRODUCTIONS (Téléfilme)INVISIBLE CIRCUS , JUSTINE PICTURES (Téléfilme)BA TEMOIGNAGES , LA FOURMI (Advertisement)LOURDES , LUX VIDE (TV Series)UNE FAMILLE FORMIDABLE 4 , EGO PRODUCTION (TV Series)BRIGAD , MARS INTERNATIONAL FICTIONS (TV Series)1998
QUASIMODO , (HACHETTE PREMIERE)LE PORTRAIT , (IMAGES ET COMPAGNIE1997
FÁTIMA , by Fabrizio Costa (LUX VIDE)LE BARBIER DE SIBERIE , (CAMERA ONE)MES ENFANTS ETRANGERS , (TELE IMAGES)BALDI PATA OU LES CENDRES DE ZAZA , (IMAGE ET COMPAGNIE)PASSAGE À L'ACTE , (TECHNISONOR)
1996
LES JUSTICIERS DANS LA VILLE Nº3 - ERREUR DE JEUNESSE , by Eric Woreth (ALYA Productions)ATTENDS-MOI , by François Luciani (TELE IMAGES)L'ABSENT , by Christianne Leherissey (ALYA Productions)THE GARDEN OF REDEMPTION , by Tom Donnely (PARAMOUNT - Advisor Producer)QUAND J'ETAIS P'TIT , by Daniel Janneau (GMT Productions)L'ENFANT DU SECRET , by Josée Dayan (GMT Productions)LA TRIBU , by Gérard Marx (HAMSTER Productions)LE JUSTE IV ET V , by Franck Apprederis (PROTECREA)1995
UNE FILLE GALANTE , by Nadine Trintignant (AFCL)LES TRUQUEURS , by Philippe Bensoussan (FILMTEL)LES TETES COURONNÉES , by Didier Albert (BANCO Productions)VACANCES BOURGEOISES , by Jean-Claude Brialy (KENZA Productions)UN HOMME DEBOUT , by Franck Apprederis (PROTECREA)ASSUNTO PRIVADO , by Imanol Arias (CARTEL)VAGUES DE SANG , by Aurnaud Selignac (DEMD)J'AI DEUX AMOURS , by Caroline Huppert (RASPAIL & ASSOCIES)LE COEUR ETINCELANT , by Henri Helman (CINETEVE)IMPERADOR DO HAVEL , (NFP Produktions)LA PETITE LOLA , by Yolande Zauberman (MADAR Productions)L'ENFANT SAGE , by Fabrice Cazeneuve (IMAGE & COMPAGNIE)ISLA NEGRA , by Cecilia Bartolome (MAREA FILMS)LE VOYAGEUR SANS BAGAGES , by Jean-Louis Bertucelli (ALYA Productions)MARDI 15H HOTEL VANEAU , by Denys Granier Deferre (A.C.T.)BLACK OUT , by Menealos Karamaghiolis (PAUSILYPON FILMS)1994
DAMES DE COEUR , by Gérard Marx (ALYA Productions)LE GRAND CIRQUE , by Alain Michel Blanc (CAMERAS CONTINENTALES)LES FEMMES ET LES ENFANTS D'ABORD , by Sandra Joxe (OSBY FILMS)L'AIGLE ET LE CHEVAL , by Serge Korber (LES FILMS DE LA REINE BLANCHE)JE VOUDRAIS DESCENDRE , by Jean-Daniel Verhaeghe (IMAGE & COMPAGNIE)UNE FEMME DANS LA TOURMENTE , by Serge Moati (IMAGE & COMPAGNIE)MECANIQUES CELESTES , by Fina Torres (MIRALTA FILMS)ACUSADOS EM DÚVIDA , (NFP Produktions)VAN LOC 6 , (FRANCE FILM TV)ANTARTIDA , by Manuel Huerga (IBEROAMERICANA)AFGHANSTY , by Boramy Tioulong (CAMERAS CONTINENTALES)GRAN PALACE , by Antonio Saura (IBEROAMERICANA)AMOURS DE VACANCES , by Joel Santoni (BANCO Productions)UN AMOUR AVEUGLE , by Michaela Watteaux (GAUMONT TELEVISION)FIESTA , by Pierre Boutron (CIPA)LA MADONE DE LISBONNE , by Maurice Fridland (TELECIP)1993
LE BATARD , by Pierre Boutron (BANCO Productions)PIEGE , by Jorge Marecos (PATHE TELEVISION)LA REGLE DU SILENCE , by Marc Rivière (CAMERAS CONTINENTALES)LA RAGE AU COEUR , by Robin Davis (KIEN Productions)LA FILLE DE D'ARTAGNAN , by Bertrand Tavernier (LITTLE BEAR)1992
LE RETOUR DES CHARLOTS , by Jean SarrusLE GRAND CHENE , by Jean Pierre PrevostRECIDIVE , by Frank ApprederisCOMA , by Denys LefèvreUN ENFANT EN HERITAGE , by Josée DayanUNE FAMILLE FORMIDABLE , by Joel Santoni (BANCO Production)GOUPIL VOIT ROUGE , by Jean Claude MissiaenASSOCIATION DE BIENFAITEURS , by Jean Daniel VerhaegheLES JUSTICIERS , by Frank Apprenderis (ALYA Productions)
1991
LE TRESOR DES TEMPLIERS , by Daniel MoosmannC'EST A QUEL ETAGE? , by Serge KorberFEU ADRIEN MUSET , by Jacques BesnardMAXIME ET WANDA , by Henri HelmanLE PETIT CHAT EST MORT , by Boramy TioulongUN BALLON DANS LA TETE , by Michaela WatteauxLA GAMINE , by Hervé PaludLA PEAU DU SERPENT , by Gilles Béhat1990
FADO POUR UNE JEUNE FILLE , by Bruno GantillonL'ILE/THE ISLAND , (TV series "Coup de Foudre") by Joaquim LeitãoLA RANÇON , (TV series "Coup de Foudre") by Joaquim LeitãoRENDEZ VOUS A LISBONNE , by Claude BoissolL'HOMME AU DOUBLE VISAGE , by Claude GuillemontPAS UNE SECONDE A PERDRE , by Jean Claude SussefeldDUPLEX , by Michel LangMORT D'UNE FUGITIVE , by Bruno GantillonSHUTTLECOCK , by Andrew PeddingtonLE PROCES DE BAUDELAIRE , by Jean Pierre RawsonO MILAGRE DE FÁTIMA , by Daniel CostelleLE TUEUR DU ZODIAQUE , by Bernard Villiot1989
COMEDIE D'AMOUR , by Jean Pierre RawsonLE DERNIER RENDEZ-VOUS DU PRESIDENT , by Claude GrimbertLE MANOIR DES VEUVES , by Charles BitschL'ASSASSIN S'IL VOUS PLAIT , by Bernard VilliotNUITS BLANCHES , by David DelrieuxLA FETE DES PERES , by Joy FleuryDEDE , by Jean-Louis BenoîtCHEWING-GUM ET SPAGHETTI , by Edmond TyborowskyL'AFFAIRE D'HAUTERIVE , by Bernard Villiot1988
SANS PEUR ET SANS REPROCHE , by Gérard JugnotLE CHATEAU DU PENDU , by Christian ChallongeLE CRIME DE NEUILLY , by Claude BarroisTANGO BAR , by Philippe SetbonMON DERNIER REVE SERA POUR VOUS , by Robert Mazoyer1987
ENNEMIS INTIMES , by Denis AmarCONTRAINTE PAR CORPS , by Serge LeroySANGUINES , by Christian François
1986
LA VALISE EN CARTON , (TV series) by Michel WynLA BRUTE , by Claude Guillemont1985
CROSS , by Philippe SetbonC'ETAIT IMPOSSIBLE ... ILS NE L'ONT PAS FAIT , by Philippe Clair 1984
L'AMANT MAGNIFIQUE , by Aline IssermanEXIT-EXIL , by Luc Monheim1983
TO CATCH A KING , by Clive Donner