Institute History
Description
Premiering at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival, Aloft tells the story of an abandoned son searching for his mother.
As a boy, Ivan's mother, Nana, desperately seeks treatment to cure her youngest son, Gully, who has a terminal illness. Ivan, often scolded for not supporting his brother, retreats to falconry. When Nana follows a healing guru, the Architect, and Ivan's falcon destroys his restorative tent of twigs, Nana discovers that she also has the healing touch. Encouraged by the Architect, she starts treating other people's children, ultimately leading to a devastating consequence. Flashing forward, Ivan has his own family and continues to raise falcons. When a French documentary filmmaker comes to him with information about his mother's now ample following, Ivan decides to accompany the woman on a trek to the Arctic Circle to reunite with his mother.
Jennifer Connelly (Nana) and Cillian Murphy (Ivan) give breathtaking performances in this character-driven and mythic film. With exquisite cinematography and stunning landscapes, Claudia Llosa jumps between the past and present to weave a magical and otherworldly tale of loss, grief, and forgiveness. —R.K.