Belarmino

A landmark in Portuguese cinema, Fernando Lopes’s debut film blends documentary with fiction as it follows the life of Belarmino Fragoso, a former Portuguese boxing champion whose career oscillated between poverty and fame. Through an intimate interview, Belarmino reveals the dreams and shattered illusions of a man who, from shoe shiner to boxer, was exploited by the boxing world. Amid bitter memories and the protagonist’s ironic humor, the camera explores Lisbon, evoking the city with nostalgia and exposing the cruel reality of the world of sports and fleeting prestige.