The Pigeon’s Gentle Touch: Kornél Mundruczó’s Unlikely Love Story

Hungarian director Kornél Mundruczó’s latest film, “Place to Be”, has piqued the interest of audiences with its unconventional subject matter – a pigeon and an unlikely love story. To understand what draws Mundruczó to such subjects, one must look at his approach to filmmaking: a willingness to explore the margins of human experience.

Mundruczó’s collaborations are often fascinating, but his partnership with Ellen Burstyn is particularly noteworthy. The Oscar-winning actress has built her 70-year career on roles in horror films and serious dramas, but Mundruczó envisioned something different for her – a light movie that would bring out the tender side of this formidable talent.

“Place to Be”, which premiered at Venice, is an “urban road movie” that tells the story of Brooke (Burstyn), a widowed woman whose children are trying to push her into a retirement home. When a pigeon flies through her window and refuses to leave, Brooke embarks on a cross-country road trip to return the bird to its owner, meeting divorcee Nelson (Taika Waititi) along the way.

The film’s use of real pigeons is a masterstroke – not just for its technical complexity, but also for its emotional resonance. Mundruczó estimates that around 1,000 birds were used in production, with professional pigeon handlers present on set to ensure their safety and well-being.

Mundruczó’s use of the pigeon as a metaphor for aging stars is particularly astute. Just as the bird was once a revered messenger, only to lose its importance with time, so too have many cultural icons – including Burstyn herself – seen their roles evolve over the years.

The film’s portrayal of an unlikely friendship between Brooke and Nelson is both poignant and authentic, capturing the way that two people can find connection in unexpected ways. Mundruczó’s refusal to shy away from the complexities of human relationships sets “Place to Be” apart from other road movies.

As I watched the trailer for “Place to Be”, I was reminded of classic American road movies like “Easy Rider” and “Thelma & Louise”. But what sets Mundruczó’s film apart is its gentle touch, its willingness to explore the quieter moments of human experience.

When audiences finally get a chance to see “Place to Be”, they may come away with a newfound appreciation for the beauty in the margins – and perhaps, just perhaps, a newfound love for pigeons. For Mundruczó’s film is not just about two people finding love on the road; it’s also about the transformative power of connection, and the way that even the smallest creatures can bring us together.

As Mundruczó himself puts it, “This little bird is help for both of their lives.” This sentiment resonates long after the credits roll – a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope to be found.