Providence and the Guitar
Cinema Forum Groningen
Nieuwe Markt 1, 9712KN Groningen GroningenA tender tale of creativity and integrity, both romantic and humorous, loosely based on Robert Louis Stevenson's Providence and the Guitar.
The life of a travelling artist is never easy, and Leon and Elvira know this all too well. Between uncooperative police officers, musical competitors and mischievous little demons – and with a little help from friends they meet along the way – they try to find the strength to remain committed to their art.
João Nicolau's fourth feature film takes place over a single day, but that chronology is occasionally interrupted by compelling leaps in time, to a century and a half later. The main characters are constantly searching for ways to earn a living and express themselves artistically, and the wonderful cast – including singer Salvador Sobral, in the role of a reserved economics student – delivers a beautiful story about the importance of art in everyday life. In a world where culture is increasingly being drawn into the political arena, Nicolau's film is a determined but gentle story of resistance.