In the 2011 French short film, Alone (original title Seuls), directed by Arthur Casez, 11-year-old Theo’s heated argument with his father takes a dramatic turn when he storms off into the forest. When his father is severely injured while pursuing him, Theo finds himself isolated and alone in the vast wilderness and has to make the right choice.
The breach between the generations and the effect a divorce has on kids, alongside alienation or familial strain, are the central themes of the film. The fact that the action takes place in the wilderness could serve as a literal and metaphorical battleground for Theo to confront his fears and resentment of his father.
The film’s use of close-up shots with shallow depth of field powerfully isolates the young protagonist, emphasising his emotional vulnerability and creating an intimate connection. A hand-held camera is used sparingly in scenes, when needed, to emphasise tension and distress. As in most Coming-of-Age films that I watch, I was able to connect to Theo’s character on a personal level but, in the end, whatever mistakes one might have made in the past – if there was a mistake, there is forgiveness.
Leo Campion delivers an excellent performance as the young Theo. His facial expressions are top-notch, boosting the emotional impact of the film on its viewers, and it does not come as a surprise that, after this film, he was cast in two excellent French Coming-of-Age films, namely The Time of Secrets (2021) and The Blond Boy from the Casbah (2023).
In eleven minutes of screen time, the story is well told, and the film is well worth your time.
