“O Meu Nome é Ninguém” (My Name is No One) is a moving documentary that weaves together the lives of two women—Maria Manuel Cid, a little-known but influential Portuguese poet, and Mariana Arroja, a singer-songwriter and scientist—through Fado, Portugal’s most iconic musical tradition.

What began as a music album created by Mariana, inspired by a book of poetry gifted to her, has evolved into a cinematic exploration of identity, legacy, and cultural resonance across time and space.

️ Maria Manuel Cid (1922 - 1994)

Born in 1922 in the rural town of Chamusca, Maria Manuel Cid was a mother, a widow, and a gifted poet whose words were scribbled on napkins, old receipts, and playing cards during quiet moments—often while playing Solitaire. Fado and writing was a vital part of her life. After becoming a widow at 43, and other personal losses, poetry became Maria Manuel Cid´s way of coping, reflecting on love, loss, and the soul of the Ribatejo countryside.

Though she never sought fame, her poems spoke with such emotional clarity that they caught the attention of Portugal’s greatest Fado performers. Through her son, Vasco Cid, who became immersed in Lisbon’s Fado scene during the 1960s, Maria’s poems were set to music by legends like João Braga and Teresa Tarouca, helping to define a golden era of Fado.

Mariana Arroja

Decades later, in 2021, Vasco Cid saw Mariana Arroja—whom he had known as a toddler—performing Fado on television. Inspired, he reached out to her family and offered her a copy of his mother’s unpublished poetry collection, O Meu Nome é Ninguém. The moment Mariana opened the book, she was captivated.

A multidisciplinary artist in her 30s—scientist by training, singer-songwriter by calling—Mariana had spent years traveling the world, blending musical influences from across cultures. But Cid’s words struck a uniquely personal chord. She began composing music for them, and eventually recorded a full-length album dedicated solely to Maria Manuel Cid´s poetry.

The Film

“My Name is No One” is the first film ever made about the life of Maria Manuel Cid, and it is as much a tribute to her legacy as it is a testament to the surprising and beautiful ways art connects lives across generations.

The film captures the emotional resonance between two women from vastly different eras and worlds—Maria Manuel Cid, a devout and grounded poet from rural mid-century Portugal, and Mariana, a globally minded artist in search of depth and freedom through music.

This cinematic project is a cultural dialogue across time—a meditation on grief, womanhood, resilience, and the voice of Fado as it evolves and echoes across borders.

The documentary will follow Mariana on her journey through the United States, where she performs the album O Meu Nome é Ninguém for international audiences while facing a challenging and transformative chapter in her personal life. Her story is told in parallel with Maria Manuel Cid´s, showcasing how poetry and music transcend language, geography, and time.

Why It Matters

Fado is the sound of saudade—a Portuguese word that embodies longing, memory, and soulful yearning. This documentary is about how two women, who come together through art.

It’s about:

• Preserving cultural memory

• Celebrating female artistry

• Exploring how tradition and modernity can coexist through music

• Introducing a hidden literary legacy to the global stage

Be Part of the Story

This film is ready to be made—but we need your help to bring it to life. Your donation will directly support the next crucial production phase, which includes:

With your support, we will complete filming, produce a high-quality documentary, and share this important story at festivals and on streaming platforms around the world.

Donate today and help bring My Name is No One to the world.