The Dreamed Adventure Das geträumte Abenteuer Showcase
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About
Valeska Grisebach’s long-awaited follow-up to Western (2017) is another exacting and absorbing tale from Bulgaria’s southern borderlands — in this case a small town edged in between Turkey and Greece. It’s a site rife with ancient history, which is what draws archaeologist Vesna back to her youthful stomping grounds. When an old friend becomes involved in some shady dealings, Vesna tries to help, only to become embroiled with a group of local gangsters from her past.
Not a thriller or genre movie per se, The Dreamed Adventure is nonetheless constructed from a shared understanding of popular crime, noir, and romance films, while remaining firmly grounded in a distinct time and place. Under Grisebach’s alert and sensitive direction, the gestures, expressions, and interactions of his mostly non-professional cast speak volumes, especially Yana Redeva as Vesna — a real geologist and former casino manager in her offscreen life. While its runtime is just short of three hours, the film’s depth and subtlety ensure we’re invested in every moment.
Jury Prize, Cannes 2026
Not a thriller or genre movie per se, The Dreamed Adventure is nonetheless constructed from a shared understanding of popular crime, noir, and romance films, while remaining firmly grounded in a distinct time and place. Under Grisebach’s alert and sensitive direction, the gestures, expressions, and interactions of his mostly non-professional cast speak volumes, especially Yana Redeva as Vesna — a real geologist and former casino manager in her offscreen life. While its runtime is just short of three hours, the film’s depth and subtlety ensure we’re invested in every moment.
Jury Prize, Cannes 2026
