On the cusp of adolescence, Léo and Rémi spend their carefree summer building an intimate bond of friendship, but as their days of bicycle rides through dappled flower farms and cuddling sleepovers fade into the school year, their closeness is scrutinized and called out by their classmates. Rémi is unfazed, determined to stay true to their friendship, while Léo is angry and distraught, pulling away from Rémi out of self-conscious fear and taking up ice hockey to distance himself from his best friend. As the rift between them widens into an irreparable, tragic rupture, Léo struggles through feelings of guilt and responsibility for his betrayal, and connects with Rémi’s mother, Sophie, in the hopes of making sense of the world he now lives in. Director Lukas Dhont captures Léo and Rémi’s boyhood with a gentle vision of youth and innocence, exploring the fragile nature of friendship and masculinity in this stunningly lyrical tour de force.
Grand Prix (tied), Cannes 2022
Community Partner
Lukas Dhont
Eden Dambrine, Gustav De Waele, Émilie Dequenne, Léa Drucker, Kevin Janssens, Marc Weiss, Igor Van Dessel, Léon Bataille
Belgium/France/Netherlands
2022
In French and Dutch with English subtitles
Self Harm, Gender or Sexual Discrimination
Book Tickets
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Holy Days
After his mom passes, Brian (Elijah Tamati) is comforted by Sisters Agnes, Luke and Mary Clare (Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes and Jacki Weaver, respectively). The quirky quartet hit the road to save their convent from being sold to a property developer.
Two Pianos
Once promising concert pianist Mathias (François Civil) returns to his native Lyon after a long absence. He's here to pay homage to his mentor, Elena (Charlotte Rampling). But a chance encounter with an old flame sends him spiraling.
The Golden Spurtle
Each year the sleepy highland village of Carrbridge awakens with excitement as locals and competitors from around the globe vie for the honour of winning The Golden Spurtle in the World Porridge Making Championships.
Best Boy
Sibling rivalry is the name of the game in Jesse Noah Klein's pitch black comedy. Eli, Lawrence and Phillip (who's a woman) reunite after the passing of their father and, in accordance with his last wishes, compete for the prized title of "Best Boy".
Lucid
Art student Mia is struggling with a make-or-break assignment, a self-portrait. It's only when grandma lets slip that her mom used to hypnotize her as a child to blank out the bad bits that she realizes the severity of the challenge...
Credits
Producer
Michiel Dhont, Dirk Impens
Screenwriter
Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens
Cinematography
Frank van den Eeden
Editor
Alain Dessauvage
Production Design
Eve Martin
Original Music
Valentin Hadjadj