Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Il Futuro (2013) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Il Futuro (2013) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 94 min · Italian
Directed by
Alicia Scherson

Following the sudden loss of her parents, teenage Bianca struggles to care for her younger brother while dealing with the arrival of her uncle Tomas’s eccentric friends. Their chaotic presence disrupts her already fragile world. Amidst the upheaval, she finds comfort and connection in an unexpected friendship with Maciste, a former Mr. Universe who now lives a secluded life. Their bond offers a glimmer of hope and stability during a difficult time.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Il Futuro
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Il Futuro (2013)

Where can you watch Il Futuro? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Tubi TV, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

3 main characters · contains spoilers

Il Futuro Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Il Futuro (2013), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Bianca

    Bianca is a determined young woman who takes on the responsibility of her younger brother after the tragic loss of their parents. She embarks on her journey to independence by pursuing an apprenticeship in hairdressing while navigating the complexities of adult life. Her character evolves from a hopeful protector to someone who confronts difficult truths about love and trust.

    • 👩‍🌾 Guardian
    • ❤️ Love
    • 🧠 Intelligent
  • Tomas

    Tomas is Bianca's younger brother, who struggles to cope with their parents' death and the challenges of their new life in Italy. His fascination with bodybuilding reflects his need to find control and strength in a chaotic world. Though he initially drifts into a life influenced by questionable friendships, his bond with Bianca shows his underlying innocence and vulnerability.

    • 👦 Brother
    • 💪 Bodybuilding
    • 🌌 Lost
  • Maciste

    Maciste is a reclusive retired actor and bodybuilder whose mysterious aura captivates Bianca. His blindness adds complexity to his character, as he represents both vulnerability and hidden strength. Despite Bianca's affection for him, he embodies a distant ideal that leads to her ultimate heartbreak.

    • 🎭 Actor
    • 🔒 Reclusive
    • 💔 Heartbroken

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:12

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Il Futuro Take Place?

The setting of Il Futuro (2013): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The story is set in contemporary times, reflecting current societal issues such as immigration, family dynamics, and economic challenges. This modern setting allows viewers to connect with the characters' feelings of isolation and their search for understanding and belonging.

Location

Italy

Italy serves as the backdrop for this poignant tale, filled with the struggles of immigrant life and the challenges faced by the siblings. Known for its rich history and culture, the urban landscape reflects both beauty and harsh realities for Bianca and Tomas. The film illustrates the contrast of their dreams against the bureaucratic obstacles present in the country.

  • 🇮🇹 Italy
  • 🏙️ Urban living

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:12

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Il Futuro Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Il Futuro (2013) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Heartbreak

    Heartbreak permeates the narrative as Bianca navigates unreciprocated love and familial responsibilities. The emotional turmoil she experiences highlights the vulnerability that arises from loneliness and desire. This theme emphasizes the weight of expectations placed upon her after the loss of her parents.

  • Resilience

    Resilience is a central theme as Bianca steps into a protective role for her brother while trying to carve out her own path. Despite numerous obstacles, including the pressures from their new guardians and the weight of their parents' legacy, she strives to make the best decisions for her family. The theme underlines the strength required to overcome life's challenges.

  • Greed

    Greed is vividly illustrated through the actions of the personal trainers who exploit the siblings' vulnerability for their gain. Their plan to seduce and rob the wealthy Maciste serves as a critique of moral corruption and the dangers of misplaced trust. This theme raises questions about loyalty and the worth of relationships built on ulterior motives.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:12

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Il Futuro Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Il Futuro (2013): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the story set?

The film takes place in Italy, specifically in an urban setting that reflects both the beauty and harsh realities of immigrant life. The Italian backdrop serves as more than just a location, it illustrates the contrast between the siblings' dreams and the bureaucratic obstacles they must navigate as they try to build a new life after losing their parents.

  • italy setting
  • italian city
  • urban italy
  • immigrant life
Q2

When does the movie take place?

Il Futuro is set in contemporary times, reflecting current societal issues such as immigration, family dynamics, and economic challenges. The modern setting allows viewers to connect with the characters' feelings of isolation and their search for understanding and belonging in a world that feels both foreign and unwelcoming.

  • modern setting
  • contemporary era
  • present day
Q3

What is the Heartbreak theme about?

Heartbreak permeates the narrative as Bianca navigates unreciprocated love and familial responsibilities. The emotional turmoil she experiences highlights the vulnerability that arises from loneliness and desire. This theme emphasizes the weight of expectations placed upon her after the loss of her parents, making her journey both tragic and relatable.

  • heartbreak
  • unrequited love
  • emotional vulnerability
  • loss
Q4

How does Resilience factor into the story?

Resilience is a central theme as Bianca steps into a protective role for her brother while trying to carve out her own path. Despite obstacles including pressures from their new guardians and the weight of their parents' legacy, she strives to make the best decisions for her family. The theme underlines the strength required to overcome life's challenges.

  • resilience
  • strength
  • perseverance
  • family protection
Q5

What role does Greed play in the film?

Greed is vividly illustrated through the actions of the personal trainers who exploit the siblings' vulnerability for their gain. Their plan to seduce and rob the wealthy Maciste serves as a critique of moral corruption and the dangers of misplaced trust. This theme raises questions about loyalty and the worth of relationships built on ulterior motives.

  • greed
  • exploitation
  • moral corruption
  • betrayal
Q6

Who is Bianca and what is her role?

Bianca is the determined teenage protagonist who takes on the responsibility of her younger brother after the tragic loss of their parents. She pursues an apprenticeship in hairdressing while navigating the complexities of adult life. Her character evolves from a hopeful protector to someone who confronts difficult truths about love and trust.

  • bianca
  • protagonist
  • teenage girl
  • caretaker
Q7

Who is Tomas and what represents his struggle?

Tomas is Bianca's younger brother who struggles to cope with their parents' death and the challenges of their new life in Italy. His fascination with bodybuilding reflects his need to find control and strength in a chaotic world. Though he initially drifts into a life influenced by questionable friendships, his bond with Bianca shows his underlying innocence and vulnerability.

  • tomas
  • younger brother
  • bodybuilding
  • vulnerability
Q8

Who is Maciste and why is he significant?

Maciste is a reclusive retired actor and bodybuilder whose mysterious aura captivates Bianca. His blindness adds complexity to his character, as he represents both vulnerability and hidden strength. Despite Bianca's affection for him, he embodies a distant ideal that leads to her ultimate heartbreak.

  • maciste
  • mr universe
  • retired actor
  • blind character
Q9

What does the title Il Futuro mean?

Il Futuro translates to 'The Future' in Italian. The title reflects the film's exploration of what lies ahead for Bianca and her brother as they navigate loss, uncertainty, and their search for stability in a new country. It underscores the thematic focus on moving forward despite hardship.

  • title meaning
  • the future
  • italian title
Q10

What is the overall tone of the film?

The film has a predominantly melancholic tone, established by the retrospective framing and the protagonist's grim circumstances. However, it avoids being bleak due to the presence of genuine human connection between Bianca and Maciste. The combination of heavy emotional themes with slow, contemplative pacing creates a lingering sense of melancholy.

  • tone
  • melancholic
  • emotional weight
  • atmosphere
Q11

How does the immigrant experience shape the story?

The immigrant experience is central to the film's context, as Bianca and her brother navigate life in Italy after losing their parents. The urban landscape reflects both beauty and harsh realities, bureaucratic obstacles, economic challenges, and feelings of isolation. Their search for belonging mirrors the broader immigrant narrative of striving for a better life while facing significant barriers.

  • immigrant experience
  • immigration
  • belonging
  • foreign country

Movie threads

More Movies Like Il Futuro, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Il Futuro tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about grief and coming-of-age like Il Futuro

Stories of young protagonists navigating profound loss and a suddenly fragile world. Explore films similar to Il Futuro that portray the delicate and melancholic journey of a young person facing immense loss. If you liked the depiction of Bianca's vulnerable coming-of-age, you'll find other movies that capture the somber mood and weight of grief intertwined with the search for identity.

  • grieving
  • vulnerable
  • introspective
  • atmospheric
  • somber
  • lonely
  • Tone: melancholic, somber
  • Pacing: slow, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a young protagonist after a life-shattering event, such as the death of a parent. Their journey is not one of lighthearted discovery but of grappling with responsibility, existential loneliness, and a fractured sense of safety, often finding fleeting moments of connection or understanding in an otherwise bleak emotional landscape.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on the heavy emotional weight of loss experienced during youth. They share a melancholic tone, slow pacing that allows for introspection, and a central character arc defined by vulnerability and a painful, often ambiguous, path toward a new maturity.

Movies about unlikely friendships in difficult times like Il Futuro

Solitary characters form an unexpected bond that offers a glimmer of hope. Discover films like Il Futuro that explore the power of unexpected human connection in the face of adversity. If you were moved by the tender bond between Bianca and Maciste, this list features similar stories where a pivotal friendship provides solace and a fragile hope within a melancholic narrative.

  • unlikely friendship
  • solace
  • melancholic
  • tender
  • introspective
  • bittersweet
  • Tone: melancholic, bittersweet
  • Pacing: slow, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves two characters from vastly different worlds, often both marked by loneliness or past trauma, who find solace in each other. Their friendship is a central, quiet force against a backdrop of emotional decay or harsh reality, and the story's emotional core lies in the authenticity and limitations of this bond.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific emotional dynamic: the contrast between a generally melancholic or bleak atmosphere and the tender, grounding presence of a unique friendship. The pacing is often slow to allow the relationship to develop naturally, and the tone balances sadness with moments of genuine connection.

If you liked this

Movies Like Il Futuro

Similar movies to Il Futuro: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Il Futuro (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Il Futuro in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app