Selected for the Toronto International Film Festival’s Short Cuts program, Dust to Dreams, courtesy of actor Idris Elba flexing his directorial muscle once more, is a soft meditation on on love, music, and reconciliation, set against the backdrop of Lagos, Nigeria.
There’s such a rich tapestry of narrative and the emotional outlay that comes from it that the film’s 19 minute running time occasionally threatens to come undone under the weight of its ambition. Never entirely enough to dismiss its entirety though, with Elba, who also serves as writer, guiding the film to fruition.
Dealing with the notion of family legacy, Dust to Dreams centres around Millicent (Nse Ikpe-Etim), who runs a successful nightclub in Lagos, but with her current health declining she’s in the midst of deciding who should inherit the business, which naturally causes tension between the daughters who expect their piece.
Comfort (Eku Edewor) and Patience (Atlanta Bridget Johnson), who have travelled from London, are quite candid in their intentions to sell the establishment for a quick profit. Their Lagos-based sister, Bisi (Constance Olatunde), is more committed to maintaining the club’s vibrancy, which only deepens the resentment Comfort and Patience hold for her.
And fanning the flame even more so is Johnson (Seal), a kindly musician with ties to Millicent, who’s hoping to soothe emotions with his musical mentality, but can’t help but further stir with his paternal presence.
The story, admittedly, never travels anywhere unexpected, and with its musical theme, it makes sense that it’s a stirring duet that serves as a means to heal the fractured family and remind them of the spirit of the club itself. But Elba, who described Dust to Dreams as “the most collaborative” process of his career, understands that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel for it to travel confidently, and so the film – familiar as it is – still serves as a welcome commentary on the power of art and how it can bind generations.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Dust to Dreams screened as part of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, which ran between September 4th and 14th, 2025.
