Based on a true story. 1996, open sea.
During his shift on a transatlantic ship’s deck, Joel, a religious Filipino sailor, discovers Dumitru, a Romanian stowaway hidden between some containers.
If he is spotted by the Taiwanese officers running the vessel, Dumitru is at risk to be thrown overboard. Joel decides to hide him, as a sign of his gratitude towards God.
Soon, a dangerous cat and mouse game begins. When his crew, his own friends, even God itself start to turn their backs on him, Joel learns that he has to face his cruel destiny alone.
During his shift on a transatlantic ship’s deck, Joel, a religious Filipino sailor, discovers Dumitru, a Romanian stowaway hidden between some containers.
If he is spotted by the Taiwanese officers running the vessel, Dumitru is at risk to be thrown overboard. Joel decides to hide him, as a sign of his gratitude towards God.
Soon, a dangerous cat and mouse game begins. When his crew, his own friends, even God itself start to turn their backs on him, Joel learns that he has to face his cruel destiny alone.
Director
Mihai Mincan has graduated from the University of Philosophy in Bucharest in 2002, followed by an MBA degree from the University of Poitiers. Since 2004, for 12 years, he’s been working as journalist at some of Romania’s biggest newspapers and magazines. In 2008, he wrote his first script - the short film The Palm Lines, which was selected at Locarno, Rotterdam, Cottbus. He wrote and directed or co-directed, two short animations, three short films and two documentaries, which premiered at festivals from Europe and Romania, while also working as a scriptwriter for other Romanian filmmakers. 'To the North' is his debut feature.
Cast & crew
CAST
Soliman Cruz, Niko Becker, Bart
Guingona, Olivier Ho Hio Hen (Stillwater)
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
George Chiper-Lillemark (Immaculate, Touch me Not)
SOUND DESIGN
Nicolas Becker (Sound of Metal – Oscar for Best Sound)
SOUND MIX
Cyril Holtz (3 Cesar awards, latest for The Sister Brothers)
PRODUCERS
De Film Production (Alis – Crystal Bear and Teddy Award Berlinale 2022)
Remora Films
Studio Bauhaus
Screening Emotions
Background Films
Festivals and awards
- Venice 2022 - Orizzonti Competition
“It is a story as old as time itself, but
Mincan has found a new, compelling way
to tell it.”
Mincan has found a new, compelling way
to tell it.”
“Captivates from start to finish because Mincan
knows exactly what he is doing, slowly tightening
his grip on his audience.”
knows exactly what he is doing, slowly tightening
his grip on his audience.”
