With this documentary, Manoel de Oliveira wanted to create a retrospective on energy over the last century, exploring the three means by which EDP has generated energy - through harnessing hydro, wind and solar power. The idea was to link this new vision of the filmmaker with his 1932 vision (embodied in his film 'Hulha Branca' (White Coal)), thus telling a story where the energy transformation process is illustrated. Manoel de Oliveira also addresses his family's connection with the energy sector - the master film-maker's father was the founder of the Ermal Hydro Plant as well as the pioneering 'Hércules' light bulb factory.
The master thus explores the link between time, energy and the importance of family over the generations. The filmmaker seeks to highlight and pay tribute to families, portraying two real stories (one about classic dancers and the other about musicians) who, like his own family, have excelled in the arts.
Throughout '1 Century of Energy', the story of 1932 is punctuated with similar moments though filmed in 2015, alluding to the new energies - wind, hydro and solar. Simultaneously, while introducing these new forms of energy production, the different generations of two families are presented, representing the evolution of the times, giving witness to its passage and the knowledge acquired.
This documentary will also be featured in 10 Portuguese cities* as part of a national roadshow as was the express wish of Manoel de Oliveira. The public can thus view the film-maker's last work.

EDP offers '1 Century of Energy'
Based on the documentary, the new EDP campaign '1 Century of Energy' was created, was also directed by the filmmaker although he passed away during the process of post-production. This campaign aims to honor the excellence of families through the portrayal of several generations of two real families - one of classic dancers and another of musicians.
The films used for the campaign are focused on these families, telling us their story and portraying the excellence that emerges where passion, commitment, dedication and unity are present.
The '1 Century of Energy' campaign consists of two phases:
• Phase I - Manoel de Oliveira's vision of the transformation of energy over the last century, also honoring the excellence of families;
• Phase II - The prize of a century of energy (natural gas electricity)*1 for a family with inspiring energy which is an EDP free market client.
To qualify for 100 years of free energy, participants have to be customers or subscribe to EDP Comercial (the EDP Group company operating in the free market) and should make a video showing the excellence of their family in an area or activity they have in common. Video uploads should be made through the campaign's website and will then be subject to a public and a jury vote. The winner will be announced at the end of the contest on September 14.
This campaign was developed by the MSTF Partners agency, directed by Manoel de Oliveira, produced by Silvério Canto Moniz together with the AMovement production company in partnership with Page International. Media buying was handled by the MEC agency. ARC produced and implemented the campaign microsite. 1 Century of Energy begins today and will be on air for 4 weeks.
Manoel de Oliveira closely followed this campaign: he approved the entire storyboard and oversaw all shooting plans but did not get to post-produce the images. This is the only advertising work undertaken by the great filmmaker.
The 'Melhor de mim' theme song created for the purpose of this campaign was composed by Tiago Machado, written by Boss AC and performed by 'Fado' singer Mariza. The song also has an instrumental version which is used in the television advertising campaign.

EDP creates the Manoel de Oliveira Grant for filmmakers
In order to support filmmakers, the brand now releases the Manoel de Oliveira EDP Grant intended for movie professionals.
Applications have no age limit, however it is required that applicants are of Portuguese nationality and have directed no more than one feature-length film.
Candidates will be selected by members of the scientific committee.
This was the first time in his 106 years of life that the great filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira directed an advertising campaign and he did so of his own desire. As stated by his grandson, Ricardo Trêpa, 'Our family has a strong connection to energy. My grandfather's father was the founder of the Ermal Power Station as well as the first Portuguese light-bulb factory, 'Hércules'. The campaign 'emerges from the documentary 'Hulha Branca' (White Coal) which was filmed by my grandfather for his father in 1932, and which shows the arrival of electricity for the first time to a village. 'One Century of Energy' gives us insight into the transformation of energy from that point until the present day.'
For EDP this partnership is an opportunity to honor the work and accomplishments of one of the most nationally and internationally recognized filmmakers and marks a clear contribution to Portuguese culture and a tribute to all families.


*1 For customers with natural gas and /or electricity
*2 Locations: Braga, Porto (EDP headquarters), Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria, Santarém, Lisbon (Museum of Electricity), Setúbal, Évora, and Faro. Screenings will be made on the building facades of the town halls in the chosen cities.

See the full video of Manoel de Oliveira: