Butterflies Are Free

The film situates its drama in the early 1970s, a period of counterculture, shifting social norms, and experimenting with personal freedom. The era’s rapid changes frame Jill’s past marriage and her yearnings for independence, while Don negotiates independence from his mother’s control. The music and creative energy of the time underline Don's songwriting and the couple’s bohemian aspirations.

Set in the bohemian neighborhoods of San Francisco in the early 1970s, the story unfolds in a city of creative freedom and countercultural energy. The adjacent apartments and the Union Street bohemian clothing store anchor the couple's world, blending intimate living spaces with a vivid street-level scene. The city’s open vibe mirrors Jill and Don's push for personal autonomy.

🦋 Freedom

Jill and Don fight for personal independence from Florence’s control, emphasizing the cost and reward of living on one’s own terms. The door between their apartments becomes a literal and symbolic barrier that they continually test and cross. The film tracks how freedom drives both connection and conflict, shaping their identities.

💑 Love & Commitment

The romance challenges traditional commitment as Jill fears hurting Don and Don fears dependence. Jill's past six-day marriage and her reluctance to settle clash with Don’s need for a partner who can commit to him. The story probes whether love alone can sustain growth without smothering individuality.

🔎 Perception

Don’s ‘shadow vision’ and Jill’s vulnerability highlight how perception shapes reality. Blindness becomes a metaphor for misreading emotions, while the couple’s attempts to truly ‘see’ one another test trust and openness. The ending suggests true sight comes from choosing each other despite fears.