Some Kind of Heaven

What beautiful twilight: composed of shades of purple and patches of yellow, glowing beyond silhouetted palm trees, more soothing than dark. This is how the days come to an end at The Villages, a Florida seniors complex and the largest facility of its kind in the United States. The Villages is its own microcosm, where relaxation and entertainment reign. When the camera shows well-kept alleys and beaming faces, it’s hard not to think of the deceptively idyllic world in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet. Is there a darkness bubbling beneath the surface here as well? You won’t discover any shocking secrets during the screening, but you will gradually be convinced that this paradise hasn’t managed to banish negative emotions. The young documentary filmmaker Lance Oppenheim observes several residents who are trying to live their lives in accordance with the American dream, though with only moderate success. His fascination with surreal scenery goes hand in hand with his empathy for the protagonists.