Some Kind of Heaven

You come here to live. Not to die. The first minutes of Lance Oppenheim’s documentary debut are full of sharp observations and – if you want to see it – ironic commentary on life in one of the biggest ‘retirement reservations’ in the United States: The Villages in Florida. More than 130,000 Americans live here in a closed community for the retired, provided with every medical convenience. Is this a second life for people who can afford it – “people emerge here like butterflies from a cocoon” – or is it just postponing the inevitable?

Oppenheimer examines this expensive dream of endless golf and morning exercises through three people who, in spite of all the fruit shakes and singles dance nights are nevertheless confronted with harsh reality in this coming-of-age adventure. Even though the small print for The Villages doesn’t mention it when you sign the contract, sickness and death can’t be bought off.

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