TIFF 2024 Review “They Will be Dust”
In They Will Be Dust (Polvo Serán), director Carlos Marques-Marcet presents a deeply emotional Spanish drama that explores the themes of love, family, and assisted suicide, while weaving in musical and choreographic elements. It is a profound meditation on love, death, and family. The film tells the story of Claudia, a terminally ill person, and her husband, Flavio, as they embark on a final journey to Switzerland where Claudia plans to end her life with the help of an assisted-suicide organization. Their daughter, Violeta, finds herself caught between her parents’ decision and the emotional aftermath it creates for their family.
Regarding performances, Angela Molina delivers a powerhouse performance as Claudia, a woman facing the inevitable end with strength and grace. Diagnosed with an irreversible brain tumor, Claudia refuses to wait for her body to deteriorate and opts to take control of her fate. Alfredo Castro, as Flavio, accompanies her on this journey not only physically but emotionally, agreeing to follow her into death in an act of profound love. Together, Molina and Castro create a dynamic, poignant portrayal of a couple whose bond transcends even mortality.
The film’s title sets the tone for this poetic meditation on mortality and eternal love. Marques-Marcet uses this framework to pose thought-provoking questions about the human experience: What happens to love when life ends? How do we face death? What role does family play in these decisions? These questions form the core of the film, with each character providing different perspectives on the decision to end life on their own terms.
Where the film truly excels is in its intimate portrayal of the family dynamics at play. Claudia and Flavio’s children each react differently to their parents’ decision, with some understanding the reasons behind it while others struggle to cope with the reality of their impending loss. Marques-Marcet skillfully navigates these emotional conflicts, showing how grief, love, and fear intersect as the family comes to terms with Claudia’s choice. There are moments of absurd humor woven into the drama, lightening the weighty subject matter and giving the film a sense of authenticity as it reflects the complexities of real-life relationships.
Ultimately, They Will Be Dust is a complex, ambitious film that doesn’t shy away from tackling difficult subjects. Marques-Marcet has crafted a story that, while imperfect, resonates on a deeply human level. The core of the film remains an evocative, powerful meditation on life, death, and the enduring nature of love. Claudia and Flavio’s journey may be one of finality, but their love—and the questions they leave behind—linger long after the credits roll.
Watch the trailer for They Will Be Dust below
They Will be Dust premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept 7, 2024