06/11/2023 - Ángela Molina, Alfredo Castro and Mònica Almirall star in the film that tackles the decision to die and raises questions such as the limits of unconditional love between parents and children

(l-r) Actress Ángela Molina, actor Alfredo Castro, director Carlos Marqués-Marcet and actress Mònica Almirall on the set of Polvo serán (© Giulia Palaia)

Catalan filmmaker Carlos Marques-Marcet, behind films such as Long Distance [+see also:
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interview: Carlos Marques-Marcet
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interview: Carlos Marques-Marcet
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interview: Felipe Gálvez
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Written by the director himself along with Clara Roquet (director of Libertad [+see also:
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interview: Elena Martín Gimeno
film profile] and Something Is About to Happen [+see also:
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interview: Antonio Méndez Esparza
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film profile]), the original soundtrack is by the artist, singer and composer Maria Arnal and the choreographies are the creation of the dance company La Veronal. Filming takes place during October, November and December on location in Barcelona, the Italian Alps and Switzerland.

According to the synopsis, when Claudia (played by Ángela Molina) decides that she does not want to wait for a disease to destroy her body, her partner, Flavio (Alfredo Castro), who has not been separated from her for the last forty years, puts into action their old plan to end their life together in Switzerland thanks to the help of an association for voluntary assisted death. Meanwhile, their daughter Violeta (Mònica Almirall) becomes an involuntary mediator between her parents and everything they leave behind, while at the same time looking for her place in this story of unconditional love.

The film raises questions such as; are we able to prepare ourselves for death? Why do we cling to life? What is it that makes us afraid of death? Is all affection conditional or is some unconditional? Is love for children always unconditional? From love to death through comedy, drama, music and dance. According to Marques-Marcet, "in this mixture of genres, the musical will allow us to approach these complex emotions and the unfathomable hole of death where words cannot reach, expressed through the body and music. The choreographies are intended not as a pause in the narrative, but as a way to keep the film moving forward by exploring the characters from another angle".

They Will Be Dust is a production from Lastor Media (Spain), Alina Film (Switzerland) and Kino Produzioni (Italy) with the collaboration of the ICAA, ICEC and MEDIA – Europa Creativa, and supported by RTVE, Movistar Plus+, Direzione generale Cinema e audiovisivo del Ministero della Cultura DGCA - MIC, IDM Film Fund & Commission Südtirol Alto Adige and Eurimages. The film will be distributed in Spanish cinemas by Wanda Vision and Elastica Films, while Latido Films will manage international sales.

(Translated from Spanish by Vicky York)