The first two films included in the 59th KVIFF Crystal Globe Competition will be screened today, both at the Grand Hall. The Luminous Life, a sun-drenched Lisbon tale about the carefree naiveté of youth, will be shown in the international premiere at 5 p.m., followed by the world premiere of the French film Out of Love, a portrait of a woman forced to become a mother to her sister’s children overnight.
“I wrote The Luminous Life in one breath, as if the film already existed somewhere out there, on the streets of Lisbon, just waiting for my saying Action! to gain body and movement,” notes Lisbon native João Rosas about his film. Reminiscent of an Eric Rohmer movie, the film narrates the story of Nicolau, who has just turned twenty-four but is far from satisfied with his life. Then fate throws several opportunities his way to take control of his life again. Though this is the director’s first feature film, it builds on his shorts, where he followed the same protagonist at the ages of 11, 14 and 18. “I now propose to portray with lightness, sensitivity and humour, Nicolau’s sentimental education in his reluctant farewell to youth,” Rosas explains.
The film Out of Love, representing the French cinematography in the competition, focuses on a woman who is left in charge of her sister’s two children. This minimalist, yet profoundly empathetic contemplation on the fragility of forced relationship and the strength of that born out of love lets the audience observe the slow process of coming together, the fears and hesitations of the newborn family, and the absurdities of the non-functioning state apparatus. The director of the film, Nathan Ambrosio, is only twenty five, but he already made his first films as a teenager. He debuted to acclaim at the age of eighteen with hus dramatic film Les Drapeaux de papier, starring Noémie Merlant. In the new film, he cast another French star, Camille Cottin, best known for the series Call My Agent! They will both present the film in person at KVIFF.
