Anthony Schatteman's first feature film, Young Hearts follows in the tradition of initiation stories exploring self-discovery and love. Co-written by Schatteman and Lukas Dhont, director of Girl (Caméra d'Or at Cannes 2018) and Close (Grand Prix at Cannes 2022), this Belgian-Dutch drama tackles the sensitive theme of discovering sexual orientation through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy. The film stars Lou Goossens and Marius De Saeger, two promising young actors, and is supported byAFCAE Jeune Public. Already awarded the Prix des collégiens Cannes Ecrans Juniors 2024 and the Special Mention of the Youth Jury at the Berlin International Film Festival 2024, Generation Kplus section, Young Hearts is set to make its mark when it hits French cinemas on February 12, 2025.
Elias, 14, lives in a small village in Flanders. When Alexander, his new neighbor of the same age from Brussels, moves in across the street, Elias realizes he's falling in love for the first time. He will have to face up to the inner chaos caused by his budding feelings in order to live his story with Alexander to the full and reveal it to everyone.
Young Hearts should appeal to a wide audience, especially teenagers and young adults, but also anyone sensitive to tales of love discovery and identity construction. This intimate LGBTQIA+ drama could stand out for its delicate approach to the question of sexual orientation, through an emotional and sensitive teenage romance. Inspired by the director's own story, this film could offer a new model for depicting happy homosexual relationships on screen, something that is still rare in contemporary cinema.
Viewers who have enjoyed films such as Call Me by Your Name, Summer 85 and the Heartstopper series, should find a similar emotional resonance in Young Hearts.
With Young Hearts, Anthony Schatteman promises an LGBTQ+ drama both intimate and universal, set against the backdrop of a first teenage love story. Supported by prestigious festivals such as Cannes and Berlin, the film, co-written with Lukas Dhont, could make a lasting impression with its sensitivity and nuanced treatment of self-discovery. Opening in cinemas on February 12, 2025, Young Hearts has already been enthusiastically received, and promises to be a major event for fans of independent cinema.
This article is based on information available online; we have not yet viewed the film or series mentioned.
February 2025 cinema releases: Films and times near you
Discover all the films in theaters in February 2025 with showtimes near you. Don't miss a single movie! [Read more]
Drama is a popular genre with movie lovers, and there are plenty of films representing it in cinemas. If you're not sure what to choose for your movie night, we have several titles to recommend. Follow the guide! [Read more]
Not sure which film to see today? Well, we've got plenty of films to show near you. [Read more]
February 2025 cinema releases: Films and times near you
Cinema: dramas and thrillers currently showing in cinemas and coming soon
Cinema: which film to see today, this Wednesday October 16, 2024?
