Saint-Jacques... La Mecque

I just saw this yesterday at the French Film Festival at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Along with The Light, this has been my favorite film of the festival. The disparate group of nine travelers and guide, each with their own literal and emotional baggage, tackles a 3 month hike through the mountains of France and Spain, along the path of a famous catholic pilgrimage. Interestingly enough, not one of the travelers seems to have religious motivations for the travel, except for the naive young Arab who thinks he's going to Mecca.All are of different ages,classes, races, ethnic backgrounds.The three hysterical fighting siblings are completely believable as are all the other characters.Many of the developments are predictable but the ride was SUCH a joy!I love the elation that can come from such good film-making.