Romantic indies are a dime a dozen and have generally shifted to streaming channels, but Sundance indies tend to be much more fantastical, strange, and alluring. That description really hits the bill for “Jumbo,” the new romantic indie from filmmaker Zoé Wittock that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020 to substantial acclaim (our review). The film French actress Noémie Merlant, who many know as one of the breakout stars of the acclaimed film, “Portrait Of A Lady On Fire.“
In our interview with the director, Zoé Wittock described the film “as a coming-of-age story and coming out story,” comparing the film to an allegory “for many different types of identities or sexualities or anyone that can relate. Differences of who we are as people is the theme I wanted to explore. People will watch this and hopefully be at least open to learning more about objectophila. You don’t accept it, fine, at least you have a little of an understanding.”
Here’s the official synopsis:
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Jeanne, a shy young woman, lives at home with her uninhibited bartender mother and works the graveyard shift as a cleaner at an amusement park. Her mother wants her to meet a man, but Jeanne prefers tinkering in her bedroom with wires, light bulbs, and spare parts, creating miniature versions of theme park rides. During her late-night shifts, she begins spending intimate time with the alluring new Tilt-A-Whirl ride that she decides to call Jumbo. Finding herself seduced by “his” red lights, smooth chrome, and oily hydraulics, Jeanne concludes that the thrilling new relationship she wants to pursue is with Jumbo.
Darkstar Pictures releases Zoé Wittock’s “Jumbo” in virtual cinemas on February 19, and it hits VOD and DVD on March 16. Watch the new trailer below.