Aloft (2014)
A lyrical drama of fractured bonds, healing, and the long reach of a mother's absence across a lifetime.
Aloft - Movie Information
- Original Title: Aloft
- Release Year: 2014
- Directed by: Claudia Llosa
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: French, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 12, 2014 (Germany), October 26, 2016 (France), January 23, 2015 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: L'attrape-rêves (FR), Marcas do Passado (BR), Cry/Fly (CA)
- Production Companies: Buffalo Gal Pictures, Wanda Visión, Arcadia Motion Pictures
- Production Countries: Canada, France, Spain
Aloft - Plot
As we follow a mother and her son, we delve into a past marred by an accident that tears them apart. She will become a renowned artist and healer, and he will grow into his own and a peculiar falconer who bears the marks of a double absence. In the present, a young journalist will bring about an encounter between the two that puts the very meaning of life and art into question, so that we may contemplate the possibility of living life to its fullest, despite the uncertainties littering our paths.
Aloft - Trailer
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Aloft - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Claudia Llosa
Main Cast
- Jennifer Connelly
- Cillian Murphy
- Mélanie Laurent
- William Shimell
- Zen McGrath
- Peter McRobbie
- Winta McGrath
- Nancy Drake
- Judy Cook
- Carson Nattrass
Writers
- Claudia Llosa
Producers
- Ibon Cormenzana
- Phyllis Laing
- José María Morales
Aloft - FAQs
What is Aloft about?
Aloft follows a mother and son torn apart by a childhood accident. Years later, she has become a celebrated healer and artist, while he lives as a solitary falconer. A young journalist engineers their reunion, forcing both to confront grief, absence, and what it means to truly live.
Does Aloft have a happy ending?
Aloft ends on an emotionally ambiguous note rather than a tidy resolution. The reunion between mother and son brings painful truths to the surface, and the film leaves viewers to sit with unresolved feelings — much like real life. It's bittersweet, poetic, and deliberately open to interpretation.
Where can you stream or rent Aloft?
You can rent or buy Aloft on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. It's also available to purchase on Google Play Movies and YouTube. No subscription streaming is currently listed, so a rental is your easiest option.
What is the significance of falconry in Aloft?
Ivan's life as a falconer is rich with symbolism in Aloft. The birds mirror his emotional state — creatures trained to return yet always on the edge of flight, much like Ivan himself, caught between longing for connection and the instinct to remain distant from the mother who left him behind.
Who are the main actors in Aloft?
The film stars Jennifer Connelly as Nana, a healer haunted by her past, and Cillian Murphy as her estranged adult son Ivan. Mélanie Laurent plays Jannia, the journalist who brings them together. The cast also includes William Shimell and young actors Zen McGrath and Winta McGrath.
Is Aloft based on a true story?
No, Aloft is not based on a true story. It's an original screenplay written by director Claudia Llosa, who crafted the narrative as a meditation on motherhood, loss, and the long shadow that absence casts over a child's life. The story is entirely fictional but deeply emotionally grounded.
Who directed Aloft and what else has she made?
Aloft was directed by Claudia Llosa, the Peruvian filmmaker best known for The Milk of Sorrow, which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2009. Aloft marked her English-language debut, bringing her signature introspective, visually lyrical style to a new setting and cast.
How was Aloft received by critics?
Aloft received a mixed critical reception. Reviewers praised the film's stunning wintry cinematography and the committed performances of Jennifer Connelly and Cillian Murphy, but some felt the pacing was slow and the emotional distance between characters too difficult to bridge. It's considered a challenging, art-house-leaning drama.
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