Young Hearts (Dutch/French)

Why don't we make more such films? Sweet and earnest, this is the kind of film that’s easy to wrap your arms around because it understands that coming of age is inherently traumatic. Sometimes you don't need plot twists or bog dramatic reveals. This film about a 14-year-old kid who falls for the boy next door, causing him to question his sexuality and somewhat rebel against his parents treasures in fragile thoughts and feelings, mostly internalized, and also shows a sense of hope that you feel like a comfy blanket thanks to people around you and your family. We all could use some positive reinforcement about love in our lives and this film does exactly that.

Elias, a young 14 year old lives in a small countryside village. His family is mostly a prototypical household: his older brother is dating, his caring mother supports her father's musical profession and a very empathetic grandfather who works in a farm and with whom Elias likes to spend time. Elias sorta has a girlfriend in Valerie, but you can tell there is no love. Things change when Alexander, a young boy around Elias' age moves next door from Brussels. Coming in from a big city, Alex confidently admits to Elias on one of their cycle trips that he was once in love with a boy. Elias, on the other hand, has never loved anyone, but he is clearly enamored by Alexander. As the pair start hanging out more frequently — swimming together in the river, exploring an abandoned old house, literally (if chastely) having a roll in the hay at the farm of Elias’ grandpa Fred, we witness the mutual attraction between them. One day they kiss, leading to an emotional uphill within Elias. Elias’ struggles are almost entirely self-created, and it’s arguably more relatable as somebody who really fought back against similar emotions back at his age. He tries to shrug his feelings and even snubs Alex on a couple of occasions. Alexander is confident and wants to love Elias fully. This is when Elias' grandfather come into picture. Through a weekend outing, in the most natural way, Elias confides in him about his love for Alex who reassures that one doesn't feel such love often and that he should go ahead with him. Coming back home, he comes out with his feelings to his family in one of the most emotional scenes I have seen and only thence realizes how supportive his parents are and unexpectedly his brother too. In a touching finale we do see a tender kiss between the two young boys.

Young Hearts is the sincere depiction of coming out in a supportive environment. While the director doesn’t shy away from sentimentality and even leans in at times to cliché, the film succeeds thanks to its warmth and emotional authenticity. It is not easy for Elias to truly accept his feelings. Even though the best times he has is those he spends with Alexander including a trip to Brussels, Elias backs away nervously when Alexander gives him a hug in public. He tries forcing himself to commit to being with Valerie. The young 14 year old boy cannot hold the enormity of loving another rboy, a fact that he admits that he doesn't know of any other boy who is in love with a boy. The actor playing Elias is a scene stealer. His silences and his raw intensity reveal the turmoil gripping him inside. The director lingers on his face as new thoughts, feelings, and passions bubble to the surface. He does the same with the confident Alex, who thanks to having lived in a big city is more confident about himself. Embracing yourself is the first step to happiness, however, and Elias’ slow acceptance of both himself and his feelings will likely resonate with many young people looking for some kind of understanding of their situation. There are many scenes and characters that stand out - Valerie's quietly accepting that Elias may not be into him, Elias coming out to his mother in a tearjerker scene, Elias gifting his grandfather a hand drawn portrait, Elias' brothers acceptance of him and in the finale, you see a very supportive group of friends just hanging out without any judgements. 

At its core, the film chronicles the tender journey of two adolescent boys navigating their emotions, identities, and the world around them. But it is so much more than a tale of self-discovery. The narrative weaves a tapestry of support, love, and understanding, offering a blueprint for what a nurturing, inclusive environment can look like for anyone struggling with suppressed emotions or questions of identity. I would highly recommend this film and I hope it gets the love and affection it deserves. (9/10)