In 2041, twin brothers Lázaro and Tristán enlist into an extremely demanding military school that trains future French astronauts. Their mother has given up everything for their dream. But this dream is shattered when Tristán is contaminated with a toxic residual that transforms him physically and mentally. A clever mix of body-horror, moving family drama, and science fiction.

You think this sounds like a breezy little drama about student life and space exploration? Think again. Tropique painstakingly explores the power of brotherly bonds, and how fate can derail one’s journey and test these seemingly unshakable ties. The film’s fantastical elements are introduced with subtlety to better portray a family that is really put to the test.

After directing music videos for Air, Justice, and Metronomy (among others), Édouard Salier co-directed Africa Mia in 2019, a documentary on the influence of Cuban music in Mali. One can still see his affinity for music in Tropique, Salier’s second fiction feature film. He also regularly teaches at Écal (École Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne).