João Rui Guerra da Mata

Person

João Rui Guerra da Mata

Directing

Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique

João Rui Guerra da Mata was born in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique. He teached Art Direction at the Lisbon Film School from 2004 to 2011. In 1997 he co-starred in the short PARABÉNS…

IMDb

Known for

Popular titles

O Fantasma

O Fantasma

6.2 2000 Movie
The Ornithologist

The Ornithologist

6.1 2016 Movie
Two Drifters

Two Drifters

6.2 2005 Movie
Will-o'-the-Wisp

Will-o'-the-Wisp

6.0 2022 Movie
To Die Like a Man

To Die Like a Man

5.6 2009 Movie
The Last Time I Saw Macao

The Last Time I Saw Macao

6.4 2013 Movie
Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

4.8 1997 Movie
Haircut

Haircut

5.4 1996 Movie
Goodnight Cinderella

Goodnight Cinderella

4.7 2014 Movie
13 Alfinetes

13 Alfinetes

2025 Movie
The King's Body

The King's Body

4.1 2012 Movie
China, China

China, China

7.0 2007 Movie

Biography

A closer look

Read full biography

João Rui Guerra da Mata was born in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique. He teached Art Direction at the Lisbon Film School from 2004 to 2011. In 1997 he co-starred in the short PARABÉNS!, directed by João Pedro Rodrigues, that won the Special Jury Mention at the 54th Mostra di Venezia. As an Art Director, he worked in several features and shorts, notably the ones directed by João Pedro Rodrigues, whose films he also co-scripted. This collaboration lately evolved to co-direction, namely in the shorts CHINA, CHINA (2007) – 39th Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes; Best Short Film and Audience Award, Belfort Film Festival and ALVORADA VERMELHA (2011) – Best Portuguese Short Film, IndieLisboa Film Festival; international premiere at Locarno Film Festival. O QUE ARDE CURA (2012) is his debut solo film.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 2025
    13 Alfinetes

    Movie Director

  2. 2023
    Where Is This Street? or With No Before or After

    Movie

  3. 2022
    Will-o'-the-Wisp

    Movie Production Design

  4. 2021
    A Room in Town

    Movie Director

  5. 2016
    Where Do You Stand Now, João Pedro Rodrigues?

    Movie

  6. 2016
    The Ornithologist

    Movie Screenplay

  7. 2015
    Here in Lisbon

    Movie

  8. 2015
    L'oiseau de la nuit

    Movie

  9. 2015
    IEC Long

    Movie Director

  10. 2014
    Goodnight Cinderella

    Movie Art Direction

  11. 2013
    Mahjong

    Movie

  12. 2013
    The Last Time I Saw Macao

    Movie

  13. 2012
    The King's Body

    Movie Assistant Director

  14. 2012
    Morning of Saint Anthony's Day

    Movie Art Direction

  15. 2012
    As the Flames Rose

    Movie Director

  16. 2011
    Side Effects

    Movie Art Direction

More credits
  1. 2011
    A Portuguese Film

    Movie Himself

  2. 2011
    Red Dawn

    Movie Director

  3. 2009
    To Die Like a Man

    Movie Art Direction

  4. 2007
    China, China

    Movie Writer

  5. 2005
    Two Drifters

    Movie Set Decoration

  6. 2004
    The Girl in the Mirror

    Movie Art Direction

  7. 2000
    O Fantasma

    Movie Police 2

  8. 1997
    Happy Birthday!

    Movie Francisco

  9. 1996
    Haircut

    Movie Costume Design

  10. —
    Afonso's Smile

    Movie Writer