Manuel de Coco was born on December 24, 1975, in Athens, Greece. He is a renowned film director and writer, recognized for his poetic and transcendental style. He has gained fame for his journeys to extreme locations to explore humanity's connection with spirituality.
His films showcase a harmonious and divine essence of the earth, offering a clear look at humanity amidst crisis. De Coco frequently employs profound narratives, existential voiceovers, non-professional actors, and unconventional techniques to create a dreamlike and hypnotic atmosphere. His visually striking and immersive films offer a unique perspective on cinema, elevating his work from a film to an experience.
Manuel de Coco's directorial debut, the cult feature film "Unknown Land" (2012),was shot in Israel and Yemen's Socotra Island during the Arab Spring, with a broken camera, and a budget of 25,000 euros. The 12-day shoot resulted in a film that has been selected at numerous festivals worldwide, including the Cairo International Film Festival, Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Andrei Tarkovsky International Film Festival, and Film Festival Cologne. The film won several awards, initially being considered Yemen's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award (Oscar),but was later banned in many Arab countries and Israel.
Eleven years later, Manuel de Coco returned with his second feature film, the avant-garde docu-fiction "Invisible World" (2023),which was filmed over 17 years in 10 countries, including Tibet, Mongolia, Russia, Israel, Palestine, Greece, Italy, Vatican City, Nepal, and India. Due to the editing process, scenes from Nepal and India were cut completely. The film premiered at the 27th Avanca Film Festival in Portugal and has been screened at a few other festivals, receiving numerous awards.
Manuel de Coco's grand vision for his first two films has sparked controversy among critics and audiences. He is currently in pre-production for his third feature film.
