De Oliveira's 'Childhood' could make turn

Docu may become fictional story

By ALISON JAMES

CANNES -- Manoel de Oliveira has started shooting "Oporto of My Childhood," a film about his hometown. While the pic was intended to be a documentary, after three weeks of shooting it could take a fictional turn, a source at Paolo Branco's Gemini Films said Wednesday.

Pic is being produced by Branco's Portuguese company, Madragoa.

The 92-year-old Oliveira's "I Am Going Home," playing in competition here, is one of several Cannes-selected films on Gemini's slate.

The others are "Get a Life" by Joao Canijo, which is in Un Certain Regard, Michel Piccoli's Critics' Week-selected "The Black Beach" and Rodolphe Marconi's "This Is My Body," in Directors Fortnight.