“Cinema, to Me, Is Like a Huge Journey”: Miguel Gomes on Grand Tour, Cigarettes, and Sunglasses

      Miguel Gomes’ win for Best Director at Cannes likely resonated with a small yet enthusiastic group of film lovers as an important victory for the art form. Nearly 20 years have passed since his debut feature, The Face You Deserve, garnered minimal attention; while each subsequent film increased his visibility, few anticipated that one of cinema's top honors, granted by a jury led by the director of the previous year’s biggest film, would be awarded to him.

      This achievement kickstarted an international festival tour, eventually leading to the NYFF, where I had the opportunity to sit down with Gomes for a wide-ranging conversation that covered topics such as smoking, sunglasses, Pixar, and his upcoming film, alongside Grand Tour. We ended up inside Film at Lincoln Center’s Café Paradiso; a planned outdoor discussion was scrapped due to security not allowing him to smoke, making our location irrelevant. With glasses of wine in hand (he chose white while I opted for the house red), we conversed amidst the surrounding commotion.

      The Film Stage: I noticed you smoking outside, and security told you it wasn’t allowed. I’m sorry about that––that’s just how it is in New York now, a city where smoking is restricted.

      Miguel Gomes: I just came from South Korea––I’m used to it, but there they have specific smoking areas. It’s more regulated than here, so I guess I’m fine.

      I caught a clip where you mentioned that part of your remote working was to accommodate smoking.

      It was during a trip to Japan that got cut short because of COVID. I thought, “I’ll be back in two months,” but as we all know, that didn’t happen. I just kept waiting for borders to reopen so I could finish my trip and film the remaining footage. It became tough to enter—unless I quarantined in a hotel for three weeks—and at that point, I thought, “Three weeks without smoking? Yeah, I suppose so.” But I have my limits on sacrifices for cinema, so I figured out an alternate approach.

      Do you see smoking as part of your creative process when writing or on set? Many directors say that taking a smoke break helps their thought process.

      I see it as a bad habit and advise people against it.

      I still haven’t started.

      Good, don’t take it up. But it is a habit of mine, so it’s hard for me to think without it. In Rome, where I filmed some studio scenes, smoking laws are strict. Luckily, there’s plenty of smoke in this film. I had two fire department personnel on set every day to ensure we didn’t set the studio ablaze. So there was the fireman, the cinematic smoke, and me smoking. By the end, just about everyone in the crew who smoked was lighting up. One day, the studio owner walked in and was taken aback, saying, “What’s going on? It looks like the ‘80s.” But smoking helps me––not that it’s beneficial, but I think it aids my filmmaking.

      Do you have a favorite cigarette brand?

      I used to. When I made Tabu, my choices were limited. Now, people pick up cigarettes for me. I’m not particular; I just say, “Bring me some of the red ones.” So I end up smoking whatever comes in a red package.

      Marlboro Red, American Spirit. Got it.

      [Shows cigarette pack] Korean Marlboro.

      You might be the only person here smoking Korean Marlboro Red. By the way, I watched your film last night. It’s amusing; I watched it with my partner, who hadn't seen Tabu, and now you're her new favorite director based on those two films.

      It’s probably better if she doesn’t see more of my work.

      Really? I believe they’ll hold up well.

      Let’s not tempt fate too much!

      I showed her the opening scene of Arabian Nights and she found it really cool––I believe we’ll watch that next. It’s funny because we both had the same question after watching your movie. I can’t determine if it’s a good question, but feel free to address it: you have a remarkable ear for music cues and needle drops, with songs that become inextricably linked to your films. Since last night, I’ve listened to “Beyond the Sea” multiple times, completely tied to the movie. I’ve known that song my whole life.

      It's a Nemo song.

      Yes, exactly. I think I first heard it when I was around 10 years old. One thing we both considered is ––

      Nemo, now that I think about it—it’s about someone looking for…

      Yes! For someone.

      I never considered this before; it’s interesting to think about.

      I’m surprised you’ve seen Finding Nemo. It doesn’t seem like it’s within your usual range.

      I actually enjoy Pixar films—especially now, as mainstream cinema in the