In this charming film set in the Belgian countryside, young Elias falls in love for the first time when Alexandre moves in next door. Anthony Schatteman’s impressive feature debut about queer romance is a sweet and moving film for everyone.
Young Hearts
Australian Premiere.
Director
Runtime
97 Minutes
Country
Belgium, Netherlands
Classification
All Ages
When Alexandre moves in across the road, young Elias realises that he is falling in love for the first time.
In Anthony Schatteman’s impressive feature debut, this tale of first love is deceptively simple. Shot in the beautiful Belgian countryside, young 14-year-old Elias (Lou Goossens) leads a happy life. His father is a rising pop star, he has a good circle of friends, he helps on his grandfather’s farm, and he enjoys the company of his girlfriend. This is, of course, until the new neighbours move in across the street, and he becomes good friends with Alexandre (Marius De Saeger). Soon, Elias must come to terms with the fact that he is falling in love for the first time. Young Hearts is a sweet film for everyone, free from the trauma that often riddles coming out narratives.
“The glue binding the whole story together is the remarkable Goossens’ Elias, whose silences as much as his raw intensity reveal the turmoil gripping him inside. The boy’s path to understanding himself and his desires will strike chords with anyone who ever struggled with self-acceptance.”
The Hollywood Reporter
“Young Hearts … benefits from a sincere and lived-in emotional honesty which serves its aims well.”
Variety
Film Credits
Director
Anthony Schatteman
Year
2024
Country
Belgium & Netherlands
Language
Dutch & French
Subtitles
English
Type
Feature & Fiction
Program Strand
AFF Youth & World Cinema
Producer
Xavier Rombaut
Writer
Anthony Schatteman
Cinematographer
Pieter Van Campe
Editor
Emiel Nuninga
Cast
Lou Goossens, Marius De Saeger, Geert Van Rampelberg, Emilie De Roo & Dirk Van Dijck
Music
Ruben De Gheselle
Film Source
Films Boutique
Genre
Children, Coming of Age, Drama & LGBTQIA+
Purchase Tickets
Wednesday 30 Oct 2024
10:00 am
Young Hearts
Palace Nova Eastend:
Palace Nova Eastend Cinema 4
Sunday 3 Nov 2024
11:45 am
Young Hearts
Palace Nova Eastend:
Palace Nova Eastend Eximax
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