Info
Logline
A very moving drama, based on a true story, which transcends cultural boundaries.
The year is 1996; the place is a container ship on the open sea. Joel, a devout Filipino sailor, discovers a Romanian stowaway named Dumitru. If Dumitru is spotted by the Taiwanese officers who are piloting the vessel, he is likely to be thrown overboard. Joel decides to hide Dumitru as a sign of gratitude toward God. Soon a dangerous game of cat and mouse begins in which even Joel's faith is put to the test.
Meet the director
Mihai Mincan
Mihai Mincan, born in 1980, earned a degree from the University of Bucharest, followed by an MBA degree at the University of Poitiers in France. In 2004 he became a journalist for some of Romania's biggest newspapers and magazines. In 2008 he wrote his first screenplay, for the short film THE PALM LINES, which was directed by George Chiper in 2009 and screened at the festivals in Locarno, Rotterdam, and Cottbus. Subsequently, he was the writer and (co-)director of two short animated films, three short films, and three documentaries, which were screened at various European festivals. He has also been a screenwriter for other Romanian directors. TO THE NORTH (2022) is Mincan's first full-length feature film.