Dreamland 2006

Eighteen-year-old Audrey finds herself in Dreamland, a quaint cluster of mobile homes nestled in the vast, dusty desert of New Mexico. This sun-drenched sanctuary is also home to her best friend, Calista, who aspires to beauty pageants and romantic encounters while grappling with illness and an uncertain future. As a dependable and level-headed individual, Audrey shares her own uncertainties about what lies ahead. Encouraged by loved ones who rely on her care, including her devoted yet agoraphobic father and the dreamlike Calista, she struggles to envision life beyond the familiar, expansive skies and slow rhythms of Dreamland.

Yet, beneath the surface, Audrey’s poetry conveys a profound yearning for something greater. The arrival of a teenage boy, who is spending his last summer with family before heading off to college, sparks a transformation within her. In the stillness between adolescence and adulthood, Audrey faces a pivotal choice about the life she wishes to pursue.

Dreamland poignantly captures this struggle, illustrating that even in the expansive landscapes where the desert kisses the sky, human hearts can feel trapped and limited. Jason Matzner, a first-time feature filmmaker, has artfully woven a deeply resonant drama that showcases powerful performances, especially from Agnes Bruckner; her portrayal of Audrey stands out as one of the film’s many highlights, making this visually stunning and emotionally charged narrative unforgettable.