Directed by João César Monteiro, A Comédia de Deus (God’s Comedy, 1995) is a surreal and provocative masterpiece of Portuguese cinema. The film serves as the second installment in the director’s "God’s Trilogy," following his on-screen persona, João de Deus.
The film juxtaposes high art—such as references to Wagner, Haydn, and Portuguese poet Luís Vaz de Camões—with vulgar fetishes and sexual perversion. A ComГ©dia de Deus
The story follows João de Deus, the eccentric manager of the "Paradis" ice cream parlor in Lisbon. Known for his invention of a legendary house specialty and his fanatical obsession with hygiene, João leads a double life. In private, he meticulously maintains a "Book of Thoughts"—a sacred album containing his collection of female pubic hair. His routine is disrupted when his perverse attempts to "cultivate" his collection lead to a confrontation with a local butcher, triggering a disastrous turn of events for his quiet existence. Key Themes and Style Directed by João César Monteiro, A Comédia de