Festival Trailer for Miguel Gomes’ ‘Grand Tour’ – Premiering in Cannes
by Alex Billington
April 18, 2024
Source: YouTube
“I’ve been running away from her like a coward.” The Match Factory has revealed a first look trailer for a Portuguese film set in Asia premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival next month. This new film is called Grand Tour, and it’s the latest feature by Portuguese director Miguel Gomes, best known for his films Tabu (2012), The Tsugua Diaries (2021), and his Arabian Nights trilogy (2015). Grand Tour was already announced as part of the prestigious Competition at Cannes 2024 this year, which is a big deal for a film like this. Edward, civil servant, flees fiancee Molly on their wedding day in Rangoon, Burma, in 1917. His travels replace panic with melancholy. Molly, set on marriage and amused by his escape, trails him across Asia. The film stars Gonçalo Waddington & Crista Alfaiate. Variety says it features a mix of “narrative sequences shot in a studio [which are] intercut with footage of contemporary Asia.” It is a tragicomedy though it is also “melancholic and courageous.” This is a rather wacky trailer, starting out with somber B&W footage then cutting into cheesy flashes of dancing, puppets, & more. Definitely looks like an acquired taste kind of film.
Here’s the festival promo trailer for Miguel Gomes’ film Grand Tour, direct from YouTube (via TFS):
Intro from The Match Factory: 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… Determined to get married and amused by Edward’s move, Molly follows his trail on this Asian grand tour. Grand Tour is directed by Portuguese writer / editor / filmmaker Miguel Gomes, director of the films Our Beloved Month of August, Tabu, Arabian Nights: Volume 1-3, Savagery, and The Tsugua Diaries previously. The screenplay is written by Telmo Churro, Maureen Fazendeiro, Miguel Gomes, Mariana Ricardo, with Babu Targino. Produced by Marta Donzelli, Gregorio Paonessa, and Filipa Reis. This is premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May in the Main Competition. No release dates have been set yet – stay tuned for updates and more details if you’re curious. Anyone interested in watching this film?