The Milky Way (Samanyolu)

Directed by Luis Buñuel, this 1969 French-Italian-West German co-production is a surrealist comedy-drama that follows two destitute wanderers, Pierre and Jean, who set out from Paris toward the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. They travel the ancient pilgrimage route, popularly known as the Milky Way, by hitchhiking, walking and begging. Their journey drifts freely across centuries and places: the pair witness episodes drawn from the history of Christian heresies and meet figures such as Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Marquis de Sade and even the Devil, each encounter provoking fresh debate about faith and doctrine. Buñuel co-wrote the screenplay with his longtime collaborator Jean-Claude Carrière. Paul Frankeur and Laurent Terzieff play the two travelers, while Delphine Seyrig, Michel Piccoli and Alain Cuny appear in supporting parts. Buñuel later described the film as the opening chapter of a loose trilogy about the search for truth, completed by The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and The Phantom of Liberty. The film received the Interfilm Award at the 1969 Berlin International Film Festival.