Every August, a dedicated group of young organisers and volunteers brings Roffa Mon Amour to life in Rotterdam. Organising an open-air film festival is no small challenge in a country where rain is part of everyday life, yet the team creates the event each year with remarkable care, enthusiasm and commitment.
The 2026 edition opened with Isabel, directed by Gabe Klinger and featuring an outstanding performance by Marina Person, who also co-wrote the screenplay.
Set within São Paulo’s dynamic gastronomic scene, the film follows Isabel, a talented sommelier who dreams of opening her own wine bar. She champions wines with a strong sense of origin, minimal intervention and genuine character, including grape varieties often overlooked by mainstream trends.
Her journey is also a story of resilience. Isabel must find her place in one of the world’s most energetic cities while confronting commercial pressures, market trends and the sometimes exclusive and pretentious side of the wine world. The film contrasts these environments with the diverse, demanding and deeply human reality of São Paulo.
Working with a limited budget, Klinger delivers a carefully crafted production with confident direction and a compelling screenplay. The result is both a tribute to São Paulo and a sensitive portrait of a woman pursuing independence while remaining true to her beliefs.
Before the film’s official release in Brazil, Grapes & Peppers had the privilege of becoming one of the first supporters of its presentation in the Netherlands, together with the Embassy of Brazil.
For Grapes & Peppers, supporting Isabel was a natural choice. The film reflects values that are central to our work: authenticity, origin, diversity and the courage to give space to wines, producers and stories that deserve to be discovered.