Providence and the Guitar

Providence and the Guitar (2026)



A Providência e a Guitarra

0.0 2026 125 min —

Director: João Nicolau

Cast: Pedro Inês, Clara Riedenstein, Salvador Sobral, Jenna Thiam, Isac Graça

Comedy Drama Music
In a time long before our own, Léon and Elvira Berthelini live as wandering performers, trading one small town for the next to scrape out a living. When the police commissioner of Covarronca runs them out of town, the duo is left to sleep beneath the stars—until they cross paths with Stubbs, a young scholar from Cambridge. He leads them to the doorstep of a troubled painter, whose marriage is on the rocks. In exchange for a warm roof, the travelers offer a timeless lesson: true passion for art can heal the fractures of the heart. But their story takes a bizarre twist when a strange enchantment hurls them into the wild unpredictability of the 21st century—where the fate of an entire social security system and the survival of a rock band hang in the balance.

More About This Film

"Providence and the Guitar" (original Portuguese title: "A Providência e a Guitarra") is a drama film written and directed by João Nicolau, marking his return to feature filmmaking after several years. The movie premiered as the opening night film at the International Film Festival Rotterdam on January 29, 2026. It stars Salvador Sobral, known internationally for winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017, alongside French actress Jenna Thiam, in the roles of Leon and Elvira, respectively.

The narrative follows the lives of itinerant artists Leon and Elvira as they navigate the precarious nature of their touring existence. Set against the backdrop of Portugal, the film explores the emotional and logistical challenges faced by performers who live out of suitcases, dealing with moody police officers, rival musicians, and the inherent instability of making a living through art on the road. The chemistry between Sobral and Thiam anchors the story, highlighting themes of resilience and human connection amidst hardship.

  • The film features an original soundtrack performed by lead actor Salvador Sobral, leveraging his real-life musical career to enhance the authenticity of the protagonist's artistic journey.
  • Jenna Thiam makes her first major collaboration with a Portuguese director, bringing international visibility to the project which had its world premiere at one of Europe's most prestigious independent film festivals.
  • Director João Nicolau has been praised for his intimate character studies, and this film continues his tradition of focusing on complex interpersonal dynamics within small, confined social circles.

Where to Watch

As the film recently premiered in early 2026, availability varies by region and licensing deals currently in progress or recently announced.