João Rui Guerra da Mata

João Rui Guerra da Mata

Known for

Directing

Birthplace

Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique

Biography

João Rui Guerra da Mata was born in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique. He teached Art Direction at the Lisbon Film School from 2004 to 2011. In 1997 he co-starred in the short PARABÉNS!, directed by João Pedro Rodrigues, that won the Special Jury Mention at the 54th Mostra di Venezia. As an Art Director, he worked in several features and shorts, notably the ones directed by João Pedro Rodrigues, whose films he also co-scripted. This collaboration lately evolved to co-direction, namely in the shorts CHINA, CHINA (2007) – 39th Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes; Best Short Film and Audience Award, Belfort Film Festival and ALVORADA VERMELHA (2011) – Best Portuguese Short Film, IndieLisboa Film Festival;...

Best known work

O Fantasma
O Fantasma
2000
The Ornithologist
The Ornithologist
2016
Two Drifters
Two Drifters
2005
Will-o'-the-Wisp
Will-o'-the-Wisp
2022
To Die Like a Man
To Die Like a Man
2009
The Last Time I Saw Macao
The Last Time I Saw Macao
2013
Haircut
Haircut
1996
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
1997
Goodnight Cinderella
Goodnight Cinderella
2014
The King's Body
The King's Body
2012

Filmography

  1. TBA

    Afonso's Smile

    Writer, Production Design

  2. 2025

    13 Alfinetes

    Director, Screenplay

  3. 2023

  4. 2022

    Will-o'-the-Wisp

    Production Design, Writer

  5. 2021

  6. 2016

  7. 2016

    The Ornithologist

    Screenplay, Art Direction

  8. 2015

  9. 2015

  10. 2015

    IEC Long

    Director, Editor, Screenplay, Director of Photography

  11. 2014

  12. 2013

    Mahjong

    Screenplay, Director, Art Direction

  13. 2013

    The Last Time I Saw Macao

    Screenplay, Director, Editor, Director of Photography

  14. 2012

    The King's Body

    Assistant Director

  15. 2012

  16. 2012

    As the Flames Rose

    Director, Writer

  17. 2011

    Side Effects

    Art Direction

  18. 2011

  19. 2011

    Red Dawn

    Director, Director of Photography, Editor, Writer

  20. 2009

    To Die Like a Man

    Art Direction

  21. 2007

    China, China

    Writer, Director, Art Direction

  22. 2005

    Two Drifters

    Costume Design, Set Decoration

  23. 2004

  24. 2000

    O Fantasma

    as Police 2, Production Design, Costume Design, Makeup Artist

  25. 1997

    Happy Birthday!

    as Francisco, Production Assistant

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