Dreams

This is not a story about "good immigrants" and "bad white people" as some critics claim.

It's about the collapse of moral clarity. There are no pure victims or villains here. Just people making devastating choices. It's uncomfortable, complex and challenging.

About the casting. When asked if he was afraid to put Jessica Chastain, a world-famous actress next to Isaac Hernández, a ballet star with zero acting experience, Michel Franco said: "I believed he could do it and was willing to take a risk...".. and added "in the end it's just a movie." He doesn't play it safe, not in casting, not in storytelling, not in tone.

Despite the ambitious and arthouse like plot, the movie is not developing it in a convincing way. The often discussed power difference are clearly played and we see icy and emotional scenes. There are many why or why not questions that remain. However, this is not creating any longing for answers. All remaining a limited and missed opportunity for a deeper piece on the hypocritical and paradox world of neo-liberal philanthropy in the US. Indeed, it is a timely given the new US administration. Jessica Chastain described the movie as dark and strong. The applause was friendly and warm. We we're entertained but not speechless.