Notes on…

Idyllic(2025)

Dir. Directed by Aaron Rookus

Seattle International Film Festival 2025: Film #11

Has something of Noah Bumbach about it, if they were Dutch and slightly more nihilistic, of course. I think the concrete ostrich is a quote from La Dolce Vita (1960)?

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Synopsis: De Idylle weaves together the stories of several generations of a dysfunctional family, each on a quest for personal fulfillment. The film begins with a surreal scene of a concrete ostrich being flown over a European city, setting the tone for the film’s exploration of life's unpredictability. A middle-aged man, after recently coming out as gay, struggles to navigate the dating world. His opera singer sister, facing a terminal diagnosis, reflects on her life choices and missed opportunities. Their grandmother, tired of life, seeks a peaceful end but is denied assistance. Meanwhile, a 10-year-old boy, told by a fortune teller that he will die in seven days, embarks on a mission to fulfill his bucket list. As these characters' lives intersect, De Idylle explores the randomness of existence, as each individual comes to terms with their fate, seeking meaning in the face of mortality.