Synopsis

Fernando (Isaac Hernández), a young ballet dancer from Mexico, dreams of international recognition and a life in the US. 

Believing his lover, Jennifer (Jessica Chastain), a socialite and philanthropist, will support him, he leaves everything behind— narrowly escaping death in the process. However, his arrival disrupts Jennifer’s carefully curated world. She will do anything to protect both their futures— and the life she has built.

Director’s
Biography

Michel Franco is an award-winning filmmaker who was born in 1979 in Mexico City. The films he has written, directed, and produced have helped put Mexican cinema in the global spotlight.


His most recent feature film, MEMORY, premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival in Competition and stars Academy Award®-winner Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, who won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.


His other films include SUNDOWN, starring Tim Roth and Charlotte Gainsbourg (in Competition, Venice Film Festival 2021), NEW ORDER (Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize, Competition, Venice Film Festival 2020), APRIL'S DAUGHTER (Special Jury Prize, Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival 2017), CHRONIC, starring Tim Roth (Best Screenplay, Competition, Cannes Film Festival 2015), and AFTER LUCIA (Prize Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival 2012).


He has also produced films under his Teorema banner including Lorenzo Vigas’ DESDE ALLÁ (Golden Lion, Competition, Venice Film Festival 2015), David Zonana’s first two features MANO DE OBRA (Toronto International Film Festival 2019) and HEROIC (Sundance Film Festival and Berlinale 2023). 

Michel
Franco

2023 / Memory

2021 / Sundown

2020 / New Order

2017 / April's Daughters

2015 / Chronic

2012 / Through the eyes

2012 / After Lucia

2009 / Daniel and Ana

Comments
of the Director

Dreams explores the complex power dynamics between Jennifer, a woman from a privileged background, and Fernando, a dancer whose talent gives him power within his own context. Through their relationship, themes of mutual dependence and the struggle for dignity are addressed, reflecting the tensions between the United States and Mexico, where physical and psychological borders impose boundaries on individuals.  


The film is ultimately a study of human interaction, where power, vulnerability, and chemistry between the characters intertwine in an emotional and visceral narrative.

Main Cast
Biography

Jessica Chastain

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Celebrated for her work across film, television, and theater, Jessica Chastain holds an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Drama Desk, 5 Critic’s Choice, and three SAG Awards. She has also received multiple nominations including an Emmy, 2 Tonys, 5 SAG, 2 BAFTA, 3 Academy Award, 6 Critic’s Choice and 9 Golden Globes.


Having trained at The Juilliard School, Jessica's journey began with breakthrough roles in acclaimed films such as "The Help,” Terrence Malick’s "The Tree of Life," and "Zero Dark Thirty."

Some of her most notable roles include her captivating portrayal of Tammy Faye Bakker in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," the astronaut Melissa Lewis in "The Martian," the enigmatic Murph in "Interstellar," as well as the real-life figure Molly Bloom In "Molly's Game." In addition to these notable roles, Jessica has appeared in numerous other films, including "Memory", “Take Shelter,” "Lawless," "Miss Sloane," and "Crimson Peak." On television, she starred in the critically acclaimed miniseries “George & Tammy” for Showtime and "Scenes from a Marriage” for HBO.


Her notable roles in theatre include Nora in Jamie Lloyd’s A Dolls House, Catherine Sloper in The Heiress, and Salome opposite Al Pacino.


Jessica's talent extends behind the camera through Freckle Films, a New York based film and television production company, which she launched in 2016. In addition to “The 355,” “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” and “George & Tammy,” Freckle Films has produced the film, “Mothers’ Instinct” for NEON, the upcoming Apple Originals’ limited series, “The Savant,” and Michel Franco’s upcoming film “Dreams.” 

Isaac Hernandéz

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Isaac Hernández, Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre, is a globally celebrated artist and visionary who began his ballet training in the backyard of his home in Guadalajara, Jalisco, under the guidance of his father. He has performed on the most prestigious stages, including the Bolshoi Theatre, Royal Opera House, and Paris Opera. Isaac has been a Principal Dancer with the English National Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet, showcasing his extraordinary talent worldwide.


He is a recipient of the prestigious Benois de la Danse Award, and has also earned 13 gold medals and 3 Grand Prix titles. 


As a producer, he spearheads Despertares, the world’s largest ballet gala, and co-founded Soul Arts Productions, fostering creative industries and initiatives like free ballet education for over 400 students. 


Co-star with Oscar-winning talents like Jessica Chastain, Isaac continues to redefine the boundaries of ballet and creative innovation.

Rupert Friend

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Rupert recently wrapped starring as one of the leads in Gareth Edwards's new installment of the "Jurassic World" franchise opposite Scarlett Johansson, in addition to Wes Anderson's new film, "The Phoenician Scheme". He also has recently worked with Wes on "The Swan" and "Ratchatcher", part of the Roald Dahl Short Film series on Netflix, as well as features "Asteroid City" and "The French Dispatch".


His New Line film "Companion" premieres January 31 globally.


He can also next be seen opposite Jessica Chastain in Michel Franco's "Dreams" which will premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, as well as Lucio Castro's "After This Death" which will also premiere at Berlin.


Rupert received rave reviews as the lead of David E. Kelley and SJ Clarkson's Netflix limited series "Anatomy of a Scandal". He can recently be seen in Ben Stiller and Apple TV+'s "High Desert" opposite Matt Dillon and Patricia Arquette, directed by Jay Roach, along with the Disney+ and LucasFilm's series, "Obi-Wan Kenobi", opposite Ewan McGregor as "The Grand Inquisitor".


Rupert is best known for his role as 'Peter Quinn' in Showtime's "Homeland". He played the role for five seasons and was nominated for an Emmy. Additionally, Rupert can be seen in Paul Feig's "A Simple Favor" starring opposite Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, Julian Schnabel's "At Eternity's Gate" opposite Willem Dafoe, as well as "The Death of Stalin" directed by Armando Iannucci, opposite Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, and Michael Palin. His lengthy film credits include "The Young Victoria", "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas", "Cheri", "Starred Up", "Pride & Prejudice", "Hitman: Agent 47", among many others. Friend can recently be seen leading the Paramount+ series "Strange Angel".

Main
Cast

Jessica Chastain
as Jennifer McCarthy


Isaác Hernández
as Fernando Rodríguez


Rupert Friend
as Jake McCarthy


Marshall Bell
as Michael McCarthy


Eligio Meléndez
as Fernando’s Father


Mercedes Hernández
as Fernando’s Mother

Main
Crew

Director: Michel Franco

Screenwriter: Michel Franco

Producers: Michel Franco, Eréndira Núñez Larios, Alexander Rodnyansky

Executive Producers: Jessica Chastain, Kelly Carmichael, Vladimir Artemenko, Megan Carlson

Director of Photography: Yves Cape, AFC

Production Design: Alfredo Wigueras

Costume Design: Mitchell Travers

Makeup Design: Linda Dowds

Hair Styling: Stephanie Ingram

Editing: Oscar Figueroa Jara, Michel Franco

Sound: Brian Copenhagen, Martin de Torcy

Sound Design: Aviv Aldema, Frank Gaeta

Postproduction: Diego Sánchez

Casting: Susan Shopmaker, Viridiana Olvera, Nina Henninger

Technical
Details

Original title: Dreams

International title: Dreams

Duration: 95 min

Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Format: DCP

Sound: 5.1

Year: 2025

Original languages: Spanish, English

Countries of production: Mexico,
United States

Production Companies: Teorema

Co-production Companies: Freckle Films,
AR Content, Easter Film Investment

International
Press

claudiatomassini & associates 

International Film Publicity

 

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US Press


Courtney Ott

Cinetic Marketing

courtney@cineticmedia.com