O táxi n.º 9297 (1927)

The popularity of true crime is not a new phenomenon, as this Portuguese film from 1927 shows. The contrasts in atmosphere and the clever editing of this gripping crime drama by Reinaldo Ferreira are accompanied by a new score by Igor C Silva. The composer gives ensemble Lucilin plenty of room for improvisation, and plays the electric guitar and synthesiser himself, taking care of all electronic effects.

Originally a journalist, director Ferreira was the Truman Capote of his time, both popular and criticised for his speculative crime reporting. However, when a well-known stage actress was found strangled in the street, the police investigation confirmed his hypothesis about the identity of the killer. The suspense that his high-profile articles managed to evoke, was translated into film by him, resulting in a slick murder mystery.

Digitization and restoration by Cinemateca Portuguesa - Museu do Cinema.