The PÖFF Love Film Festival will kick off on an exotic note.

Tartuff has never opened with a film from quite so far afield. On 8 August, the festival’s large open-air screen in Tartu Town Hall Square will show the Thai film Gohan.

A box-office sensation in its home country and already sold to more than 40 countries, the film tells the story of a rescued street dog whose eventful life unfolds with three different owners – changing the fate of each one.

Inspired by the plight of homeless dogs and the loneliness experienced by people today, the film follows Gohan from puppyhood to old age. It is divided into three chapters corresponding to different stages of his life, each directed by a different filmmaker: Chayanop Boonprakob, Nattawut Poonpiriya and Atta Hemwadee.

The title character is played by three dogs. One of them, Hima, who portrays Gohan in his later years, was also rescued from the streets.

“This is a film that touches the deepest strings of the human heart,” said Tartuff programmer Edvinas Pukšta.

The film’s producer, Thai studio GDH, is internationally known for such hits as Bad Genius and How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, the latter of which was also screened at PÖFF two years ago.

Tartuff film festival will take place from 8 to 15 August in Tartu Town Hall Square and at Tartu Elektriteater. All screenings are free of charge.

The festival is presented by Elisa and the City of Tartu.