Page 77 - Metropolis Magazine nº115

French painter, to allow the the narrative, we witness and recognition, especially in post-
audience to imagine his figure. the embodiment of Gauguin colonial studies and ethnology.
Here, the colonial context or the by Segalen— an “osmosis” Both directors agreed that “Off the
relationship between the French between Segalen and Gauguin, Beaten Track” can contribute to
colonizers and the natives of Tahiti incorporating aspects of the Segalen's recognition and promote
is presented at the opening of the latter's life and art into the young the appreciation of diversity in
film, highlighting the imposition Frenchman's stay and career in the times of fomenting hatred and
of French culture on the natives. French Polynesian archipelago. mistrust. To close, the confession
There was also talk of the shoot Decisive is the relationship that of the project's author, Hugo Vieria
in Tahiti and its challenges: for the French painter established da Silva, a talent who has already
health reasons, director Hugo with nature, defending the escape left us, “Body Rice” (2006), “Swans”
Vieira da Silva had to accompany from exoticism and portraying the (2011), and “An Outpost of
the filming from a distance, which nature of Tahiti realistically and in Progress” (2016): “Off the Beaten
was taken over by director Paulo line with Segalen's later criticism Track” has faced serious difficulties
MilHomens. The participation of of traditional exoticism—the in international distribution due
many locals and the need to adapt obsessive and ignorant pursuit of to the cancel culture surrounding
sets due to natural conditions were the exotic by mass tourism. In the the figure of Paul Gauguin, leading
challenges for the production, and end, we discussed the dramatic to this work being “diplomatically”
Paulo MilHomens recounted a fate of both: while Gauguin became removed from the selection
difficult and complex episode for a celebrated figure, Segalen went committees of festivals around the
the team to overcome. Throughout on to gain admirers and followers world.

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