15/03/2023 - Set in the late 1910s, the Portuguese filmmaker’s new endeavour stars Gonçalo Waddington and Crista Alfaiate in the leading roles

Miguel Gomes’ new feature, titled Grand Tour, is now filming in Italy. The Portuguese director is best known for his efforts Tabu [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Miguel Gomes
interview: Miguel Gomes
film profile] (2012), Arabian Nights [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Miguel Gomes
film profile] (2015) and The Tsugua Diaries [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: João Nunes Monteiro
interview: Maureen Fazendeiro and Migu…
film profile] (2021).

Starring Gonçalo Waddington (Saint George [+see also:
film review
trailer
Q&A: Marco Martins
film profile], Arabian Nights) and Crista Alfaiate (Technoboss [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: João Nicolau
film profile], Arabian Nights) in the leading roles, the story of Grand Tour begins in Rangoon, Burma, 1917. Edward, a civil servant for the British Empire, runs away from his fiancée, Molly, the day she arrives to get married. During his travels, however, panic gives way to melancholy. Contemplating the emptiness of his existence, the cowardly Edward wonders what has become of Molly… Yet Molly, determined to get married and amused by his move, follows his trail on this Asian grand tour.

According to Variety, the outlet that first reported the news, “the creative process for the film began with a research trip to various countries in Asia”, during which “Gomes and his team filmed the trip, making an archive of images and sounds”. Furthermore, the feature will “combine frames from that voyage with film scenes shot in 16mm, creating a continuous cinematic time”.

Grand Tour is being produced by Portugal’s Uma Pedra No Sapato, and co-produced by Italy’s Vivo Film and French outfits Shellac Sud and Cinéma Defacto, in association with Germany’s The Match Factory, China’s Rediance and Japan’s Creatps Inc, and with the participation of ZDF/ARTE and RTP. Uma Pedra No Sapato is releasing the film in Portugal, and Shellac will do likewise in France.

The picture’s international sales have been entrusted to The Match Factory.