The Ides of July - Behind The Screenplay

If you’ve never heard of “The Ides of March,” shame on you. You might not have heard of “The Ides of July” until now and in comparison, we forgive you.

The term “Ides” has its roots in ancient Roman history. It refers to the middle of the month and was used to describe specific days depending on the month. In essence, the Ides were a marker of sorts, utilized for various religious festivals and financial transactions. Of course, you may be aware of the association between the Ides and the assassination of Julius Caesar.

Indeed, the Ides of March in 44 BC were a pivotal moment in Roman history. Nowadays, the term “Ides” has taken on a somewhat ominous connotation, often used in literature and popular culture to suggest a sense of foreboding or impending doom.

The Ides of July writing playlist:

Peter Talisman – We Have to Leave This Town Because I Have Done Something Unforgivable
Oliver Coates – Butoh baby
David Borden – Esty Point, Summer 1978
Shida Shahabi – Abisme
TLF Trio – Passacaglia
Ernst Reijseger – Longing for a Frozen Sky
Commodo – Deft 1s
Dawuna – Bad Karma
Vega Trails – Epic Dream
E.VAX – Koko
upsammy – Flutter
Jaimie Branch – birds of paradise
Zelienople – The Real Devil
Para One – Virtual Satori – BlankFor.ms Remix
George Jones – The Grand Tour
The Rationals – Glowin’
Lonely Guest – Lonely Guest
Caterina Barbieri – Fantas for Electric Guitar
Ben Bertrand – The Nixe of John Cage’s River
Public Memory – Butcher
Mark Guiliana – Song for Making Things Right
Jon Hassell – Blue Period
Poppy Ackroyd – Pause – Reworked
Sons Of Kemet – To Never Forget The Source
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek – Üç Kız Bir Ana
Azymuth – Zé e Paraná
Sensible Soccers – Cantiga Da Ponte
Martina Stock – Roses Are Blue
Weils – To Apeiron
yes/and – Craggy
Patricia Brennan – Solar
Martin Glass – Okinawa Fantasia
Robert Wyatt – The Whole Point Of No Return

Story Inspiration

The picturesque location of Whistler, British Columbia, was have been a significant source of inspiration for the film. The town’s reputation for drug use and its notorious party culture create a stark contrast against the natural beauty of the setting, highlighting the internal conflict and turmoil experienced by the protagonist.

Whistler serves as a metaphor for the internal struggle, as the beauty of the surroundings contrasts with the negative aspects of the town, much like how the protagonist’s struggle with his daughter’s actions contrasts with his desire to protect his family name and reputation. The setting, therefore, plays a crucial role in the narrative, creating an external conflict that mirrors the internal conflict of the protagonist and providing a rich visual backdrop for the story to unfold.

You can learn more about the Broken English production of The Ides of July by clicking the underlined link.