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
Parthenope
Great beautician Paolo Sorrentino (The Young Pope) returns to the city of his birth with this languorous, love-struck chronicle of the life of a modern day siren, Parthenope (newcomer Celeste Della Porta). Stylish, philosophical, deeply Italiano.
Quincy Mayes Brazilian Soul Experience
The Quincy Mayes Brazilian Soul Experience is thrilled to present a special performance showcasing the diverse, Afro-centric roots of samba, soul, and funk alongside a screening of the essential Brazilian film City of God. Please note there will be no Standby available for this event.
Chez Jolie Coiffure
Having immigrated to Belgium from Cameroon, Sabine manages Chez Jolie Coiffure. Her salon patrons, many of them undocumented immigrants, are not only be made to feel beautiful but can also escape the daily difficulties and harsh realities of their lives.
No Other Land
Deemed by many critics one of the essential films of 2024, a multiple festival award winner and a nominee for the Academy Award for Best Documentary, No Other Land is a reminder that mass expulsion is by no means a new reality for Palestinians.
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