Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- lyrical
- contemplative
- playful
- quiet evening
- slow travel afternoon
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The unfinished silent film, its sound recording process, and Monroe's attempts to capture unseen images make filmmaking the central narrative subject.
Lisbon is treated as a primary expressive subject through Winter's sound recordings, car journeys, and fascination with its urban life.
Winter remains in Lisbon to record the sound of Monroe's film, while the city's sonic world draws him toward deeper engagement.
Winter's sound-centered practice and Monroe's pursuit of visual images initially diverge before Winter persuades him to complete the film.
Films like Lisbon Story, and why
Wings of Desire
shared city portrait, self-reflexive filmmaking, contemplative travel mood, and European art-house sensibility
The State of Things
shared meditation on cinema, sound, urban spaces, and the creative process in a reflective European setting
Buena Vista Social Club
shared musical atmosphere, observational cityscape, and intimate engagement with a distinctive national culture
Day for Night
shared filmmaker-centered metafiction, artistic uncertainty, and playful examination of how images and sounds shape reality
Movie Details
- Director
- Wim Wenders
- Release Date
- 1994-12-16
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (131)
Cast
- Rüdiger Vogler
- Patrick Bauchau
- Teresa Salgueiro
- Manoel de Oliveira
- Vasco Sequeira
- Joel Cunha Ferreira
- Sofia Bénard da Costa
- Vera Cunha Rocha
- Elisabete Cunha Rocha
- Ricardo Colares
Common questions
- What is Lisbon Story about?
- A sound engineer searching for his vanished filmmaker friend discovers Lisbon through music, street noise, and the unfinished possibilities of cinema.
- What is Lisbon Story like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Lisbon Story as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Lisbon Story violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Lisbon Story.
- Which films are like Lisbon Story?
- Films with a similar feel include Wings of Desire, The State of Things, Buena Vista Social Club, and Day for Night.
- How long is Lisbon Story?
- Lisbon Story runs 100 minutes.
