Voyage to Narragonia

Colour, 35 mm
Spain, 2003, 83 min
Section: Documentary Competition

Synopsis

Azart is the name of a ship constructed in 1916 whose passengers are a group of strange individuals, members of a theatre troupe. The Ship of Fools, as they themselves call it, took its inspiration from the book of the same name by Sebastian Brant, written in 1494, describing a mysterious boat full of eccentric figures – cast out of society for apparent madness. Nine artists from various corners of the globe are sailing to an imaginary land called Narragonia. The director introduces us to each one of them, who give nine different views of the phenomenon of the mysterious ideal country. The film speaks of the desire for absolute freedom of movement and expression, for an alternative form of social relations, founded on sincerity and openness. The Ship of Fools sails along the west coast of Europe, from time to time it drops anchor at a port and its passengers organise a theatre performance. Berger’s remarkable film presents several mini-portraits, through which he treats the controversial definition of madness. Ignoring well established notions, he asks: who, in fact, could be labelled as mad in today’s society?

About the director

Germ8n Berger studied journalism and social sciences at Diego Portales University in Chile (1991-1996). He later worked at the Centre d’Estudis Cinematografics de Catalunya (CECC) as a director and film editor. He completed his three-year course in documentary filmmaking at the Pompeu Fabra University in 2001. He also worked as a journalist and director of television programmes. Filmography: Eros & Tanatos (1996), Hincha pelotas (1997-1998), Esmorzar (1998-1999), Catedral (1999), Todo lo Solido (2002), Voyage to Narragonia (Viaje a Narragonia, 2003), El Hombre de la muralla (2002-2003).