A shocking incident throws a seemingly healthy relationship into crisis in this drama from director
Julia Loktev. Alex (
Gael Garcia Bernal) and Nica (
Hani Furstenberg)
are a twentysomething couple who have been together for several years
and enjoy traveling, taking a certain pride in their willingness to
rough it rather than follow the easy path. The pair will soon be
married, and to celebrate they've traveled to Eurasia to climb the
Caucasus Mountains. After hiring a local guide named Dato (
Bidzina Gujabidze),
the couple hike through the wilderness en route to the mountains. They
spend their time swapping stories and soaking in the rugged beauty of
their surroundings in respectful silence, with Dato offering his own
curt interjections. However, one day the hikers cross paths with a group
of hunters, leading to an incident in which Alex's reaction seems
either prudent or cowardly depending on one's perspective. The trio
eventually pick themselves up and move on, but nothing seems the same
for Alex and Nica after that.
The Loneliest Planet received its North American premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.
