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FORTIFICADA

Historical - Development 2025

A 19th century Portuguese wine magnate must prevail over politicians, phylloxera, patriarchy, and especially her own children to ensure the survival of her family’s business empire.

- Year of production
- 2025
- Genres
- Historical, Drama, Biography
- Countries
- PORTUGAL, FRANCE, UNITED KINGDOM, SPAIN
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Duration
- 120 mn
- Synopsis
- 19th century Portugal. Douro Valley. Antónia is an only child. Consolidation of the family business is assured when she’s married off to her only cousin. She has three children of which one dies young. Her marriage falters; she becomes the estranged homemaker she never desired to be.
  
  Her husband dies of syphilis at age 32. She fights to take the reins of and save the family business. Finances are a shambles. Against her wishes, her son António III marries at 17 to claim his inheritance. When Antónia’s own father dies, she’s left with no male protectors. Saldanha, a powerful politician, wants his son to marry Antónia’s 11-year-old daughter Maria. Antónia rebuffs Saldanha who attempts to kidnap the girl. Antónia and Maria escape to England with assistance from company administrator Torres. Three years later, Antónia and Torres marry prior to returning to Portugal. António III and Maria accumulate massive debts. Phylloxera rages in the vineyards placing more stress on the family and the business. Antónia takes charge, rights the ship.
  
  At 66, Antónia sets out to secure her legacy: building Quinta do Vale Meão which is nothing but a barren wasteland. Torres dies during the construction, but she perseveres. She completes the vineyard, wine cellar, house, and chapel at 84. She passes away soon after. 30,000 people attend her funeral. Her children inherit the bulk of her fortune with one critical proviso: whosoever challenges any aspect of her testament… gets nothing!