Two Is a Family

The events unfold in the present century, spanning eight years across France and the United Kingdom. The film follows a modern form of parenting where a carefree man builds a life in a new city and a distant country for his daughter. Technology and medical tests—like the internet correspondence and a DNA test—anchor key turning points in this contemporary era.

The story begins on the sunlit shores of the French Riviera, where Samuel lives a carefree life by the sea. London becomes the primary setting for the custody battle and Samuel's struggle to raise Gloria in a language he does not speak. New York is the backdrop for Kristin's return, signaling the broader cross-Atlantic pull that drives the family conflict.

🏠 Family

The film centers on Samuel's quest to create a family around Gloria, with Kristin's arrival and the cross-border life they build between France and London. It uses beaches, courts, and everyday moments to show how love, loyalty, and responsibility coalesce into a makeshift family. The emotional core comes from the quiet, stubborn hope that family can endure despite practical obstacles.

⚕️ Illness

Gloria's terminal illness casts a shadow over every decision, heightening the stakes of custody and the fear of loss. Samuel's protective devotion becomes a lifeline as medical and legal pressures push the family to the edge. The illness lends a melancholic tone to the narrative and shapes the choices the characters make.

🕵️ Identity

Samuel fabricates an imaginary mother for Gloria via the Internet to give her a sense of family and belonging. A DNA test later pierces this illusion, forcing the characters to confront truth versus protection. The film probes how love can compel deception, and how identity can be both a shield and a burden.