"Triumphant! As with Godard and Paris, Fellini and Rome, Scorsese and New York, Mendonça Filho is a filmmaker whose craft is deeply intertwined with his love of a city. What a beautiful thing." - Rafaela Sales Ross, Playlist

"A heartfelt love letter to filmmaking and film watching the world over." - Lee Marshall, Screen Daily

From acclaimed director Kleber Mendonça Filho (BACURAU) comes this multidimensional journey through time, sound, architecture, and filmmaking, set in the urban landscape of Recife, Brazil, and examined through the great movie theaters that served as spaces of conviviality during the 20th century. Combining archive documentary, mystery, film clips, and personal memories, PICTURES OF GHOSTS is a map of a city through the lens of cinema, and Brazil’s official selection for the 2024 Academy Awards. Film Center exclusive. 


Awards & Nominations

Nominee - Golden Eye, Cannes Film Festival
Nominee - Gold Hugo, Best Documentary, Chicago International Film Festival


The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu