Historical drama based on a novel by Camilo Castelo Branco, leading 19th-century Portuguese novelist, whose final days before his suicide were depicted by Oliveira in Days of Despair (1992). Camilo is accused of adultery and held at Relação Prison in Porto, where connections with various criminals inspire his creativity. Picturesque interior shots, a hallmark of the Portuguese cinema, stand out in Memories of Prison, which highlights various facets of the society of the era through a prison. Famed Portuguese figure Paulo Branco produced, as with Graciano's previous film, The Englishman's Papers (2024), screened at TIFF.
Born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1975, Sérgio Graciano is an award-winning film and television director. He has directed acclaimed series, documentaries and feature films, including "Blood Ties (Laços de Sangue)" (2010), winner of an International Emmy, and Njinga, Queen of Angola (2013). His work has earned multiple SPA Awards and Emmy nominations. He also directed Salgueiro Maia: The Implicated (2022), Soares Is Cool (2024) and The Englishman's Papers (2024).
From Tokyo International Film Festival 2026, No. 39
