Atlas of the Universe

Paul
Negoescu

(1984, Romania)
 Selected filmography: Derby (2010), A Month in Thailand (O lună în Thailanda, 2012), Two Lottery Tickets (Două lozuri, 2016), Men of Deeds (Oameni de treabă, 2022)

Ten-year-old Filip sets out with his father to town to buy shoes for school. When his father lingers with an old friend, Filip must manage the errand alone. An innocent mistake – buying two right shoes – leads him into an unexpected situation. Too embarrassed to return home empty-handed, he decides to fix the problem himself and sets off across the Romanian countryside. What begins as a simple task becomes an adventure, as Filip discovers unfamiliar places and his own inner strength. Along the way, he finds an unlikely companion in a stray dog and learns to overcome fear and uncertainty. This gentle, charming story follows a child’s first steps toward independence, showing how even a small mistake can lead to a great adventure. The film is a tender road movie about courage, friendship, and finding one’s place in the world.