Program: Crossing Europe
Yangon, then Burma, 1917. Edward, a servant of the British Empire, is engaged to Mole, but runs away on the day of the wedding. On the journey, panic is gradually replaced by melancholy. While pondering his insignificant existence, Edward keeps thinking about Molly as well. And Molė, who hasn't given up on the idea of getting married and is amused by Edward's cowardly act, follows her fiancé around Asia. Director Miguel Gomes' unique look at the multi-layered history of colonialism won the Best Director award at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Miguel Gomes studied in Lisbon, worked as a film critic before becoming a filmmaker. The director's films and retrospectives dedicated to him ("Taboo", "Arabian Nights") were presented at prestigious international festivals and film centers. Gomes' style is visual, poetic and hybrid, and in his films he often maneuvers between contemporary narratives and colonial history. His ability to freely migrate between different historical eras has earned him fame as the brightest director in his native Portugal and the title of best director at this year's Cannes. "Grand Tour" is the sixth film by Gomes, selected for the first time in the competition program of the Cannes Film Festival.
Festivals:
Cannes International Film Festival - Best Director Award
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
International Film Festival "Nowy Horizonty"
Riga International Film Festival