Bobby Deerfield

The film is anchored in the mid-1970s, drawing on the glamorous yet perilous world of Formula 1 racing. A specific highlight is the 2 May 1976 race at Jarama in Spain. The period mood is reflected in fashion, cars, and the European travel that threads the narrative.

The story unfolds across several European locales, moving from the urban bustle of Paris to the Italian lakes and Alpine sanatoriums. It also tracks a high-profile race circuit at Jarama and quiet towns like Florence and Leukerbad. The shifting settings mirror Bobby's inner life, oscillating between danger, longing, and memory.

💔 Love & Mortality

Romance with Lillian Morelli unfolds against the shadow of terminal illness. Bobby's connection with her exposes his vulnerability and capacity to care, even as death approaches. The knowledge of dying intensifies the stakes of every moment they share, imbuing ordinary experiences with significance. The film uses longing and loss to explore how people shape memories when time is finite.

🏎️ Speed & Risk

Racing is both dream and danger, a world demanding absolute focus. The crash that claims Modave and the tension of reading film footage drive the plot's propulsion. Bobby's attempts to modify cars reflect a desire to control fate and prove something about himself. The narrative questions whether thrill can justify emotional distance.

🧭 Reality vs Illusion

An opening dream sequence blurs the line between reality and desire, setting a motif the film revisits. Conversations about magic, destiny, and God reveal a hunger for meaning beyond speed. Lies and stories—both about Lillian and family past—reshape what counts as 'truth.' The slow reveals invite the audience to weigh appearances against deeper truth.