The films Um Adeus Português (1986), by João Botelho, and Non, ou a Vã Glória de Mandar (1990), by Manoel de Oliveira, rely on a storytelling technique based on the contraposition of present and past, in order to delve into the history of Portugal, especially in relation to issues such as national identity and the portuguese cultural imagery. This paper analyses the way in which both films distort the three traditional myths –Os Lusíadas, the Fifth Empire and sebastianism– to suggest a new point of view about the canonical imperial discourse.

Las películas Um Adeus Português (1986), de João Botelho, y Non, ou a Vã Glória de Mandar (1990), de Manoel de Oliveira, recurren a la técnica de la oposición de planos temporales para ahondar en la historia de Portugal y en cuestiones relacionadas con la identidad nacional. Este artículo analiza cómo ambos filmes distorsionan la materia mitológica fundacional –en concreto, el mito de Os Lusíadas, el mito del Quinto Imperio y el mito del sebastianismo– para proponer un nuevo punto de vista sobre el discurso imperial canónico.