The Basics of Philosophy

About the Film

John Jorissen teaches philosophy in a small liberal arts school in the American Midwest. His life revolves around teaching, writing, and spending time with his partner Becca and her adolescent son Willie.

When Jorrisen’s estranged father passes away, a figure from the past reemerges: Miguel Vasque, the son of the family’s former gardener, who carries with him the weight of a long-ago incident.

Their reunion forces Jorrisen to confront uncomfortable truths about guilt, obligation, and the fragile nature of the life he’s constructed.