The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, which celebrated its closing night earlier this week, marked the second year of its ongoing partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. In addition to the Sloan Science and Technology Project Pitch on September 9, where four filmmakers had the opportunity to pitch their science or technology themed project to a panel of industry experts, the partnership includes the Sloan Science on Film Showcase.
As part of the showcase, two science-forward films are highlighted each year, including one Official Selection from the festival. This year’s selection was Nacho Vigalondo’s DANIELA FOREVER, making its world premiere in the festival’s Platform section. A romantic work of science fiction reminiscent of ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, the film follows Henry Golding (CRAZY RICH ASIANS) as Nick, a DJ whose life in Madrid is marred by the recent loss of his lover, Daniela (THE WHITE LOTUS’S Beatrice Grannò.) Grief-stricken and depressed, he enrolls in a clinical trial which enables him to experience lucid dreams. Defying the parameters of the experiment, Nick instead harnesses his lucid dreams as a means to reconnect with Daniela.
As part of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s ongoing mission to bridge the two cultures of science and the humanities, the Sloan Science on Film Showcase entails a post-screening discussion between a member of the film team and a scientific expert. Following the September 7 screening, director Nacho Vigalondo was joined by Dr. Michelle Carr, an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Addictology at the University of Montreal whose research in neuroscience and psychology have made her not only an expert in the field of lucid dreaming, but a pioneer in dream engineering.
The discussion can be watched in its entirety below. Science & Film’s Sonia Epstein also spoke with Nacho Vigalondo on the ground at TIFF, check out that interview here.
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