AMÁLIA RODRIGUES One of the most important artists of our time, Amália Rodrigues has performed throughout the world for more than 50 years. Amália sings many types of music but she is mostly known for the "Fado", the music of Portugal. Soulful and mysterious, Fado means "destiny" and in Amália's voice it becomes the ultimate expression of the country's identity. Although she passed away on October 6th, 1999, Amália has left behind a timeless artistic legacy. It includes more than 50 albums and CDs, several films, countless television appearances and millions of dedicated fans worldwide.

Bruno de Almeida has made four films about Amália. Their close relationship began with Amália, Live in New York City, a concert film of her 1990 performance at New York's Town Hall, which EMI released as Amália's very first video. Bruno was shortly after signed on by Valentim de Carvalho, Amália's record label, to direct a documentary about her life. Amália, Strange Way of Life went into production in mid 1994. It was completed 10 months later, following the editing of 150 hours

of footage and a long interview with Amália. This 5 hour documentary has been shown on Portuguese and French television on more than one occasion and released as a deluxe video box set. In 1998, Bruno was commissioned by Lisbon's EXPO '98 world fair to make Amália-Expo'98 a special tribute film to be shown as part of a celebration for the singer.

Bruno was again invited in 1999 to direct The Art of Amália a 90 minute feature documentary intended for international audiences. The film was completed a week after Amália's untimely death. It opened theatrically at the Quad Cinema in New York City in December 2000 followed by long run throughout the United States. It was also broadcast on television in France, Germany, Portugal, US and Holland and was released on DVD in Europe going double platinum.