"José and Pilar"
Official Entry for Oscars' Foreign Language
Portugal 2011
Miguel Gonçalves Mendes
Miguel Gonçalves MendesThe Elephant's Journey, in which Saramago narrates the adventures and antics
of an elephant transported from the court of King John III of Portugal to that
of the Austrian Archduke Maximilian, is the starting point for José and Pilar.
This film by Miguel Gonçalves Mendes tells of the relationship between José
Saramago and his wife Pilar del Río.
It shows us their day to day life in Lanzarote, at home and on work trips around
the globe. José and Pilar is a surprising portrayal of an author throughout the
creative process and of the relationship of a couple dedicated to changing the
world, or at least trying to make it a better place.
José and Pilar shows us the hidden Saramago, unravels any preconceived
ideas we may have about the man and proves that genius and simplicity are
indeed compatible. José and Pilar is a glimpse into the life of one of the great
creators of the Twentieth Century and shows us that, as Saramago says, "there
is always another way to say everything."
