Manuel de Coco, a visionary film director and writer, was born in the city of Athens, Greece. He is renowned for his poetic and transcendental style, which has captivated audiences worldwide. De Coco's unique approach to filmmaking often takes him to extreme and remote locations, allowing him to explore humanity's relationship with spirituality in a profound and thought-provoking manner.
Through his films, viewers are treated to a harmonious and divine essence of the earth, paired with a clear and unflinching look at humanity's current state. De Coco's narrative style is characterized by profound storytelling, existential voice-overs, non-professional actors, and unconventional techniques, which collectively create a dreamlike and hypnotic effect. His films are visually stunning and immersive, offering a unique perspective on the art of cinema that transcends the boundaries of a traditional film.
De Coco's directorial debut, the cult feature film "Unknown Land" (2012),was a groundbreaking achievement. Shot on a shoestring budget of EUR25,000, the film was made in just 12 days in Israel and Yemen, including the isolated Socotra Island. The film's unconventional production was marked by a broken camera and the use of non-professional actors. Despite its humble beginnings, "Unknown Land" has been selected at numerous festivals worldwide, including the Cairo International Film Festival, the Sao Paulo International Film Festival, and the Andrei Tarkovsky International Film Festival.
Initially, "Unknown Land" was set to be Yemen's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award (Oscar),but it was censored in Yemen and subsequently banned in many countries of the Arab world and in Israel. The film's controversy only added to its allure, cementing its status as a cult classic.
Eleven years later, De Coco returned to the big screen with his second feature film, the avant-garde docu-fiction "Invisible World" (2023). This ambitious project was filmed over a 17-year period in 10 countries, including Tibet, Mongolia, Russia, Israel, Palestine, Greece, Italy, Vatican City, Nepal, and India. However, due to De Coco's editing choices, all scenes filmed in Nepal and India were ultimately cut from the final version.
The film's controversial nature and themes made it difficult for many festivals to screen "Invisible World," with some citing political and religious reasons for their reluctance. Despite these challenges, the film had its world premiere at the 27th Avanca Film Festival in Portugal and has since been screened at a few other festivals, receiving numerous awards.
De Coco's work continues to be met with both praise and criticism, reflecting the complexity and depth of his themes. His third feature film, "The Purification," an existential, philosophical, metaphysical thriller, is currently in pre-production, promising to be an equally thought-provoking and visually stunning addition to his body of work.
