MONTAUK

Filmmaker's note

There are encounters with complete strangers that have something mystical, almost comforting. A connection that suddenly has a familial feel. One understands each other because one shares similar life experiences: love, heartbreak, relationships and loss and grief are all part of this collective consciousness. The film “Montauk” tells the story of one such encounter; a chance encounter among strangers who feel as if they have known each other for ages, an encounter of two people who share their pain without speaking a common language. The recently widowed Elisabeth travels from rather wealthy Switzerland to the US and meets Eduardo, a Mexican day laborer. They two have neither culture, nor language in common but despite all that they understand each other and in a short period of time connect on a very deep and tender level. What good is language if a tender smile or a light touch of hands says more than a word? The form of communicating non-verbally is especially important in situations that are so complex and difficult where language often reaches its limits. That’s the moment for a true and personal chance encounter like the one of Elisabeth and Eduardo – two mourners who find comfort in each other and ease their pain and grief with only a few words.