Cinema for Portuguese Conversation covers fourteen Portuguese language films that are used as the basis for discussion and language acquisition, teaching vocabulary, strengthening oral and written skills, and as well as an introduction to modern Lusophone culture. The films are selected to provide interesting viewing, key cultural information, and accessible language levels. Each chapter of the book is devoted to a single movie and includes aids for students watching the film, discussing and writing about the film, and understanding the film in a broader cultural context.

The book is divided into five sections reflecting major themes in Brazilian, Portuguese, and Lusophone African cinema: the sertao (backlands), urban violence, political transitions, women, and the mythological legend of Orpheus and the movies come from different cinematic periods from 1959 until 2003.

Also included: vocabulary helpful to understanding and discussing the film; structured exercises in understanding the film once it has been viewed, especially for discussion in class; an accompanying reading for each film designed to provide perspective on the film itself.