Ana combines straight-on documentary technique with unexpected flights of dreamlike surrealism. The title character, played by Ana Maria Martins Guerra, is a young Portuguese girl who lives with her grandmother. Through their relationship, we are witness to the Cycle of Life: Grandmother takes care of granddaughter until granddaughter is obliged to do same for grandmother. The scenes between the two protagonists are counterpointed with impressionistic camera compositions based upon famous religious paintings. Ana was impressive enough to earn an American art-house release, a rarity for independently produced Portuguese films. —filmaffinity

Director

Margarida Cordeiro

Portuguese filmmaker Margarida Cordeiro and her partner Antonio Reis are noted for their beautiful representation of the Portuguese countryside. This the primary focus of their films sometimes comes at the expense of plot and dialogue, which are only minimally presented. To search for the real culture of Portugal, the plots are centered upon the daily work of natural women in pastoral settings—far from the male-inspired filth and mad mechanization of the cities. —Sandra Brennan, Rovi

António Reis

António Reis (1927–1991) was a Portuguese film director. He was married to Margarida Cordeiro, co-director in most of his films. He is considered as one of the most important directors of his country, due to the originality of his style. —Wikipedia