Tomboy
2011 · Directed by Céline Sciamma
Original language: French
- drama
The story
Ten-year-old Laure isn't like most girls. She prefers football to dolls and sweaters to dresses. When Laure and her family move to a new neighbourhood, local girl Lisa mistakes Laure for a boy. Indulging in this exciting new identity, Laure becomes Mickaël, and so begins a summer of long sunny afternoons, playground games and first kisses. Yet with the school term fast approaching, and with suspicions arising amongst friends and family, Laure must face up to an uncertain future.
What it’s like
Sun-warmed and unhurried, with handheld camera that stays close to a child's face and lets long afternoons of green grass, chlorine-blue pools and scuffed bike paths breathe around it. The light is natural and summery, the palette muted greens and washed denim, and the score is sparse electronic pulse that drops out for long stretches of ambient street noise, cicadas and children's voices. Its vibe is tender unease: quiet, observant and gently anxious, the feeling of a long summer that cannot last. It suits a slow weekend afternoon or a reflective evening alone. Ten-year-old Laure, presenting as a boy during one summer in a new neighbourhood, is at the centre, and the arc follows her gradually discovering both the freedom and the fragility of being seen differently. Pacing is patient, with small, naturalistic moments carrying the weight. Intensity is low: a brief playground scuffle and some tense confrontations, but no gore, and romance is limited to innocent, childlike first kisses with no sexual content. For people who want a sensitive, intimate coming-of-age story about gender and first feelings, told with restraint and warmth.
More films like Tomboy
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Tomboyand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
