Like an uncanny fairy tale — by turns thrilling, mysterious, and erotic — Strange River casts a marvelous spell on its viewers as it unfolds a transformational week in the life of 15-year-old Didac. A handsome boy from Barcelona, Didac is somewhat reluctantly along for the ride on a camping trip with his close-knit family, as they bike along a scenic rushing river somewhere in Germany. But Didac is being disturbed by strange dreams (or are they apparitions?) of a beautiful boy water nymph, and to his sensitive parents (who are very aware that Didac may be pining for a boy back home), their adolescent seems distant and changing. As the trip continues, the spell of the river is revealed to be a powerful force in all of their lives.
Rich with capital-R Romantic moodiness (they’re in Goethe country, after all) and a score that doesn’t restrain itself from swelling into rapturous Ravel or haunting Bach, Strange River captures both the wonder and terror of sexual awakening.
Playing as part of this year’s Frameline50. Click here to look through Vogue’s program in the fest from Monday, June 22 and Monday, June 25.