Our Beloved Month of August

Miguel Gomes's "Our Beloved Month of August" is a meta-fictional documentary that blurs the lines between reality and performance. The film chronicles the filmmaker's summer vacation in rural Portugal, ostensibly to shoot a traditional musical film. However, as the production unfolds, the director becomes increasingly engrossed in the lives of the local villagers, their stories, and their relationships, leading to an intimate and often melancholic exploration of community, memory, and the act of filmmaking itself.

The film received widespread critical acclaim, praised for its unique blend of documentary and fictional elements, its poetic cinematography, and its sensitive portrayal of rural Portuguese life. It was lauded for its artistic ambition and its ability to evoke a strong sense of place and human connection. While not a mainstream hit, it garnered significant attention on the festival circuit and among cinephiles.

• Praised for its innovative meta-narrative and exploration of filmmaking.

• Appreciated for its intimate and poetic depiction of rural Portuguese life.

• Commended for its unique blend of documentary observation and fictional storytelling.

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Won the Grand Prix at the Cinéma du Réel festival in Paris.

The film was shot during the director's own summer vacation, using non-professional actors from the village where he was staying.