Filmmaker and Emmy voting member
Milroy Goes steps into the literary realm with his debut book ‘Passear’
ADITHI SHARMA | NT BUZZ
Rooted in real-life episodes, Milroy Goes’ debut book titled ‘Passear’ (Portuguese for ‘to stroll’) aptly reflects the nature of the stories. “In Goa, we say ‘pasoi’ or ‘cholya passer’ when we go for a walk. I wanted a one-word title, and all seven stories in this book are really just that—a walk to remember,” says Goes.
Published by Buenos Muzik and now available in paperback, hardback, and eBook formats, ‘Passear’ takes readers across continents through a filmmaker’s introspective lens. From the vibrant streets of Lisbon and Los Angeles to his hometown of Cuncolim, the stories unfold like standalone short films—each a chapter brimming with observation, wit, and human connection. “My profession as a film director has always kept me interested in people and their quirks,” he shares. “Many of these stories didn’t quite fit into film scripts but had a completeness of their own. So, I decided to write a book instead.”
‘Passear’ was born from a confluence of spontaneous events: a Christmas dinner in Los Angeles, casual storytelling with friends, and an unexpected encounter with a Croatian woman in Lisbon. “I took notes, as I always do. Later, I realised these notes had the potential to become something more,” he explains.
The idea evolved during his travels, and soon the scattered anecdotes came together in the form of a book.
Goes’ cinematic instincts are evident in the structure and pacing of each chapter. “Being a filmmaker has made me curious about people and behaviour. I wanted to write in a way that immediately draws the reader in—just as a scene must grip a viewer,” he notes. The influence of cinema is also reflected in his approach to storytelling, with each piece crafted to resemble a short film, complete with emotion, plot, and resolution. “There were actually over 10 stories I had written, but I chose the seven that meant the most to me,” he shares.
Among the recurring elements in ‘Passear’ is the ‘Gentleman’s Code’—a motif inspired by his upbringing and personal values. “The code is essentially about virtue,” he says. “My parents were incredible people. My father was highly respected, and my mother taught me about etiquette and discipline. This book is dedicated to them. Although they didn’t live to see ‘Passear’, they saw my work gain recognition, and their values are embedded in everything I create.”
The people featured in the book, ranging from complete strangers to celebrities, remain cloaked in anonymity. “These are real stories, but I’ve altered some details for narrative effect. I’ve exaggerated certain aspects for storytelling—after all, I’m a filmmaker. But the soul of each experience remains intact,” he clarifies.
Goes, who splits his time between Los Angeles, Lisbon, and London, describes writing ‘Passear’ as both a creative challenge and a means of reconnecting with his past. “Each city taught me something different,” he reflects. “As a Portuguese-Goan, I’ve always felt rooted in Goa, but my creative journey has taken me far. Writing this book was like revisiting those chapters with fresh eyes.”
The forewords, penned by acclaimed Indian filmmaker Manish Gupta and Goan-Canadian author Silviano Barbosa, lend further depth to the book. “Manish shared his early film scripts with me—they taught me a lot. Silviano, my neighbour in Cuncolim, once visited me on his bicycle when I was still sketching and painting. His foreword felt like a full-circle moment,”
says Goes.
When asked if more literary ventures are on the horizon, he doesn’t hesitate. “Writing has always been a part of my creative life. I used to publish poems in Goan newspapers back in the 90s. But film is my first love, and I have more films in the pipeline,” he says. “Still, who knows? More books
may follow.”
