Spanish director Carlos Marques-Marcet, known for the intimate and profound storytelling of 10,000 KM and Anchor and Hope, elevates his craft to new heights with his latest work, There Will Be Dust (Polvo Serán, 2024). This drama, infused with elements of tragicomedy and musical, boldly and poignantly explores themes of death, love, and family bonds, delivering a unique blend of heartbreak and unexpected joy.
At the heart of the film are Claudia (the legendary Ángela Molina), who is battling a terminal illness and refuses to lose control of her life, and Flavio (Alfredo Castro), her life partner of over forty years and a theater director. When Claudia decides to end her life through euthanasia in Switzerland, Flavio, unable to imagine life without her, chooses to join her. This devastating decision brings their daughter Violeta (Mònica Almirall) and their other adult children together, forcing them to participate in this “final celebration” while grappling with their own emotional turmoil. Marques-Marcet masterfully balances the weight of this sensitive subject with unexpected musical numbers and comedic moments, crafting an unconventional yet deeply affecting cinematic experience.
Despite tackling the heavy topic of death, Marques-Marcet strikes a tone that celebrates the richness of life and love. The film’s language extends beyond dialogue, using contemporary dance performances and Busby Berkeley-inspired musical sequences to convey emotional depth. The La Veronal dance company, led by Marcos Morau, adds a unique rhythm and emotion to the story, a bold cinematic choice where the body and movement take over when words fall short. With Gabriel Sandru’s cinematography, Marques-Marcet employs sensitive framing and photographic angles that capture both the fragility of the characters’ inner worlds and the chaos of the external environment. The film deftly transitions between claustrophobic interiors and expansive exteriors, mapping the spaces of both individual grief and shared joy.
The performances of Ángela Molina and Alfredo Castro are among the film’s greatest strengths. Molina shines as Claudia, embodying a fierce desire to embrace life despite her illness while voicing her final wishes. Castro conveys Flavio’s devotion to his partner and his fear of facing life without her with profound depth. Their chemistry carries the film’s tragicomic tone, delivering moments that make audiences laugh and cry in equal measure.
There Will Be Dust is a courageous film that embraces the absurd, joyful, and complex facets of life even while addressing a challenging subject. Marques-Marcet notes that the film also touches on themes like migration, homosexuality, and euthanasia. This multilayered narrative transforms it from a mere “farewell” story into a rich exploration of the human experience.
The film has garnered significant acclaim at international festivals and received notable awards:
- Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024: Carlos Marques-Marcet’s film unanimously won the prestigious Platform Prize. The jury praised its “ability to blend extreme pathos with humor” and its “formal audacity, breathtaking visual elegance, and profound sense of humanity.”
- Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) 2024: Selected as the opening film, it won 2 awards and received 3 nominations.
- Gaudí Awards (Catalan Film Academy Awards) 2024: The film won 4 awards and was nominated in 14 categories.
- Rotten Tomatoes: It earned a 100% approval rating from critics, with an average score of 7.4/10.
Considered Carlos Marques-Marcet’s most ambitious and mature work, There Will Be Dust offers a bold, fresh, and rewarding perspective on life’s inevitable end. Both thought-provoking and entertaining, it promises an unforgettable cinematic experience that resonates deeply with the heart and mind.
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