AceShowbiz - Principal photography is currently underway on The Man Who Stole Portugal, a darkly comic period heist film directed by Thomas Napper. The movie stars James Nelson-Joyce and Emily Fairn in leading roles, alongside Richard E. Grant and Dominic West. The film is an adaptation of Murray Teigh Bloom’s true crime book about the notorious Alves dos Reis, who orchestrated one of the largest financial frauds in history against the Bank of Portugal in 1925.

James Nelson-Joyce, known for his roles in This City is Ours and A Thousand Blows, portrays Alves dos Reis, a resourceful outsider with a talent for turning closed doors into opportunities. According to the plot synopsis, “Shut out and underestimated, Reis is determined to provide his wife Maria, played by Emily Fairn, and their family with the life they deserve.” Starting with small hustles, Reis gradually invents his way upward, forging credentials and contracts that lead him from colonial backwaters to the elite boardrooms of the Bank of Portugal. His ultimate deception becomes one of the greatest cons in history.

Richard E. Grant and Dominic West take on the roles of Sir William and Carlos, respectively. The cast is further strengthened by Joel Fry (Game of Thrones) as Jose, Herbert Nordrum (The Worst Person in the World) as Karel, Kim Bodnia (F1) as Adolf, and Nia Towle (Rings of Power) as Fie.

The production is set to film across multiple locations, including the U.K., Portugal, and South Africa. The story spans the glamorous but politically turbulent 1920s Lisbon, colonial Angola, and the prestigious printing houses of London, offering a richly textured backdrop for Reis’s audacious exploits.

Director Thomas Napper explained the contemporary relevance of Reis’s story, emphasizing that the character’s goal is not to dismantle the system but to gain entry into it. He said, “He wants security, respect and a future for his family. That feels very alive now, when so many people feel the odds are stacked against them.” Napper also remarked that the film’s thrilling narrative lies in watching an outsider gradually learn to navigate and manipulate the system through a series of bluffs. “It’s outrageous and funny, but it also speaks to something very current: who gets access, who gets shut out, and what people will do to cross that line,” he added.

The Man Who Stole Portugal is written by Richard Galazka and produced by Michael Elliott for EMU Films. Executive producers include Walli Ullah, Jim Mooney, and Terry Smith, with Smith also providing financing through Moviedrome. Beta Cinema is handling the international sales and is set to introduce the project to buyers at the upcoming Cannes market.

The film’s blend of historical intrigue, sharp humor, and complex characters promises to engage audiences with a gripping exploration of ambition, deception, and social boundaries. As production continues, anticipation builds for the release of this unique period heist story inspired by true events.