Lou Goossens, Marius De Saeger, Geert Van Rampelberg, Emilie De Roo
Writer-director Anthony Schatteman’s assured debut is a sweet, disarming account of first love and the struggles of teenage self-discovery, boosted by an extraordinary lead performance from newcomer Lou Goossens.
In the middle of the school year, 14-year-old Elias (Goossens) meets his confident, headstrong new neighbour Alexander (Marius De Saeger). The two quickly hit it off. Elias enjoys spending time with Alexander, but, confused and afraid of the reactions of those around him, he keeps his burgeoning romantic feelings to himself. Entangled in a web of lies, he no longer knows how to extricate himself from his predicament – apart from pushing Alexander away.
A tender and sincere film, shot on location in a bucolic rural Netherlands bathed in a golden summer glow, Young Hearts doesn’t shy away from the turmoil of self-actualisation but is also a story of queer positivity and what it means to come out in a supportive environment. It draws heavily on Schatteman’s own experiences, and he’s described it as the film he “needed to see” during his adolescence, with his aim to create a universal coming-of-age story that will resonate with viewers of all ages.
