A musician's romantic triangle and philosophical search connect artistic creation, human desire, Mars, life, and love.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
A City Reaches Mars
The near-future Montréal setting introduces humanity's imminent journey to Mars. Jacob's unusual musical identity establishes the film's imaginative tone.
Key Events
Near-Future Montréal — The story begins in near-future Montréal as humanity approaches its first step toward Mars. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
Humanity Approaches Mars — Humanity is described as being about to set foot on Mars. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
Jacob Performs Music — Jacob is introduced as a charismatic musician performing with unusual instruments. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
Slowing Down Time — Jacob takes pride in slowing down time through his musical performances. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
Arthur Designs Instruments — Arthur designs instruments inspired by women's bodies. Characters: ArthurLocation: Montréal
Friends Create Together — Jacob's musical practice depends on instruments created by his friend Arthur. Characters: Jacob Obus, ArthurLocation: Montréal
Instruments Of Desire
Arthur's body-inspired instruments connect him professionally and personally with Jacob. Their friendship provides the foundation for the central character dynamics.
Key Events
Friends Create Together — Jacob's musical practice depends on instruments created by his friend Arthur. Characters: Jacob Obus, ArthurLocation: Montréal
Avril Enters Their World — Avril, a young photographer, becomes connected to Jacob and Arthur. Characters: Jacob Obus, Arthur, AvrilLocation: Montréal
Jacob Falls For Avril — Jacob falls in love with Avril. Characters: Jacob Obus, AvrilLocation: Montréal
Arthur Falls For Avril — Arthur also falls in love with Avril. Characters: Arthur, AvrilLocation: Montréal
The Love Triangle Forms — The competing affections of Jacob and Arthur create the central love triangle. Characters: Jacob Obus, Arthur, AvrilLocation: Montréal
The Divided Heart
Avril's arrival creates a love triangle when both Jacob and Arthur fall for her. Their friendship becomes complicated by romantic competition.
Key Events
The Love Triangle Forms — The competing affections of Jacob and Arthur create the central love triangle. Characters: Jacob Obus, Arthur, AvrilLocation: Montréal
Friendship Meets Rivalry — Jacob and Arthur's friendship is complicated by their shared feelings for Avril. Characters: Jacob Obus, ArthurLocation: Montréal
Mars Shapes Desire — The human desire to reach Mars becomes connected to the film's philosophical concerns. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
Cosmological Reflection — A cosmological perspective is introduced to interpret humanity's desire to reach Mars. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
Jacob Questions Meaning — Jacob's romantic and philosophical circumstances lead him toward questions about life's meaning. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
A Theory Of Love
The desire to reach Mars is examined through a cosmological theory about human longing. Jacob is guided toward a deeper understanding of life and love.
Key Events
Jacob Questions Meaning — Jacob's romantic and philosophical circumstances lead him toward questions about life's meaning. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
Love Becomes Philosophical — Jacob's feelings for Avril become part of his search for the meaning of love. Characters: Jacob Obus, AvrilLocation: Montréal
Guidance Reaches Jacob — Jacob receives guidance concerning life and love. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
A New Theory Emerges — A new theory links humanity's desire for Mars with deeper human motives. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
The Triangle Reconsidered — The love triangle is reconsidered through Jacob's developing understanding of love. Characters: Jacob Obus, Arthur, AvrilLocation: Montréal
Meaning Beyond Mars
Jacob's romantic conflict is reframed by his philosophical search for meaning. The film closes by bringing together its themes of music, Mars, life, and love.
Key Events
The Triangle Reconsidered — The love triangle is reconsidered through Jacob's developing understanding of love. Characters: Jacob Obus, Arthur, AvrilLocation: Montréal
Jacob Finds Perspective — Jacob gains a clearer perspective on life and love. Characters: Jacob ObusLocation: Montréal
Mars And April — The musical, romantic, and philosophical threads converge around Mars, April, life, and love. Characters: Jacob Obus, Arthur, AvrilLocation: Montréal
Story Breakdown
Future Montréal — The story begins in a near-future Montréal shaped by humanity's imminent arrival on Mars.
Mars Mission — Humanity is about to set foot on Mars.
Urban Setting — Montréal provides the film's stated near-future environment.
Jacob's Music — Jacob's charismatic musical identity introduces the film's imaginative treatment of time and artistic performance.
Charismatic Musician — Jacob is presented as a charismatic musician.
Time Slowing — Jacob takes pride in slowing down time through music.
Arthur's Designs — Arthur's unusual instrument designs support Jacob's performances and establish their creative partnership.
Body Inspired Instruments — Arthur designs instruments inspired by women's bodies.
Creative Friendship — Arthur is Jacob's friend and supplies his distinctive instruments.
Avril's Arrival — Avril's presence changes the established friendship by introducing a shared romantic focus.
Young Photographer — Avril is introduced as a young photographer.
Shared Attraction — Both Jacob and Arthur fall in love with Avril.
Romantic Rivalry — Jacob and Arthur's mutual love for Avril creates the central emotional conflict.
Triangle Forms — The competing affections establish a love triangle.
Friendship Strains — Their romantic competition complicates their friendship.
Cosmic Desire — The Mars journey becomes a framework for exploring human desire and personal meaning.
Mars Theory — A new theory explains man's desire to reach Mars.
Life And Love — Jacob is guided toward the true meaning of life and love.
In the near future, as humanity prepares to set foot on Mars, Jacob Obus, an elderly musician, takes pride in slowing down time by playing instruments inspired by women's bodies, designed by his friend Arthur. A love triangle develops when Jacob and Arthur both fall in love with Avril, a young photographer. Enter Eugène Spaak, Arthur's father, an inventor and cosmologist who unveils a new theory about man's desire to reach Mars and helps Jacob find the true meaning of life and love.
