JUMBO, the remarkable indie debut from Belgian writer/director Zoé Wittock comes to UK and Irish cinemas & virtual cinemas (via Modern Films, Anti-Worlds, Curzon Home Cinema and BFI Player) from 9 July. A wonderfully weird and fantastical romance like no other, JUMBO follows timid fairground worker Jeanne and the evolving relationship with her favourite ride Jumbo. Inspired by the real-life story of Olympic gold winner Erika LaBrie who famously fell in love with and married the Eiffel Tower, the film received critical praise following its World Premiere at Sundance 2020 and marked Wittock as one of Europe's new directors to watch. It stars Noémie Merlant, known for her breakout performance in Céline Sciamma's PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE alongside the great Emmanuelle Bercot (GIRLS OF THE SUN, CLÉMENT), and Sam Louwyck (UNDERGODS, THE WONDERS).
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. Watch the trailer at the link above.
