Portuguese director João Nicolau's latest cinematic endeavor, "Providence and the Guitar," is poised to captivate audiences as the opening feature at the esteemed International Film Festival Rotterdam. This ambitious film, an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's short story, delves into the lives of struggling artists across different eras. Nicolau sheds light on the creative process, from adapting the original narrative and incorporating time-hopping elements to the significant role of music and the unique casting choice of Eurovision star Salvador Sobral.
The narrative of "Providence and the Guitar" follows the journey of itinerant artists León (Pedro Inês) and Elvira (Clara Riedenstein) as they navigate various obstacles in a period setting. Interspersed with these historical scenes are glimpses into the present, where the same musical duo, now fronting a punk rock band, continue their artistic struggles. Nicolau describes the opportunity to open the Rotterdam festival as a "great responsibility" and an "immense joy," acknowledging the festival's reputation for championing diverse and sometimes unconventional cinema.
Nicolau views the festival's decision to feature his film as its opener as a "bold, courageous choice." He highlights that while the film's themes are universally accessible, its unique narrative structure and cinematic language might challenge traditional expectations for an opening night presentation. He expresses keen anticipation for the audience's reception, emphasizing the film's invitation for viewers to engage deeply with its artistic vision.
The filmmaker revealed that Stevenson's brief tale served as a mere "starting point" for the two-hour feature. He was drawn to the original story's emotional depth and character nuances, believing it merited a comprehensive cinematic exploration. Nicolau contrasted this project with his previous works, which often featured more reserved characters, noting his desire to explore the expressive power of language in "Providence and the Guitar."
Discussing the film's temporal shifts, Nicolau explained his evolution from a "camera version" closely adhering to the short story's structure to a "symphonic version" that integrates future-set flashbacks. These temporal leaps, he explains, naturally emerged from his perception of the story's contemporary relevance and his exploration of the central couple's evolving relationship. All musical compositions in the film, except for one piece featuring a poem by Brazilian poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade, are original works by Nicolau and his collaborator João Lobo. He noted music's integral role in his creative output, viewing it as a fundamental aspect of human experience, akin to eating or working.
The film's modest musical arrangements were a deliberate choice, influenced by its period setting. Given the characters' itinerant lifestyle with only an acoustic guitar, elaborate orchestrations were impractical. A significant highlight for Nicolau was collaborating with his longtime friend, the acclaimed Portuguese singer and 2017 Eurovision champion, Salvador Sobral. Nicolau expressed his interest in seeing professional musicians explore acting roles, noting Sobral's natural musicality shines through his performance, even in scenes where he doesn't sing.
Despite its artistic aspirations, the production faced considerable financial hurdles. The absence of co-production agreements with Belgian and French partners meant "Providence and the Guitar" was an exclusively Portuguese production, backed by the ICA. This limited budget directly influenced creative decisions, such as opting for an "indefinite past" rather than investing heavily in elaborate sets or specific period details. Nicolau is content that the film was made in his native language, finding profound inspiration in a Portuguese translation of Stevenson's original text, which deeply resonated with his vision for the dialogue's linguistic beauty and auditory qualities. The film was brought to life by producers Luís Urbano and Sandro Aguilar for O Som e a Fúria, with Shellac managing international sales.
