Of Love and Lies (2019)

A Belgian film, based on a story adapted from a Spanish graphic novel (Dream Team by Mario Torrecillas and Artur Laperla), Of Love and Lies (original title: Fourmi), is an intriguing sports-themed Coming-of-Age film with a strong emphasis on a father-son relationship.

In it, Théo is a 12-year-old boy with an unyielding passion for soccer. He is a talented player, a real prodigy behind the ball, so it doesn’t surprise when his coach reveals that a talent scout of the English premium league club Arsenal is coming to take a look at the young boy’s play. The news excites Théo’s father, Laurent, who has lost his track in life, falling into a self-destructive spiral of alcoholism and unemployment after a divorce that has left him with only rare chances to watch his son’s play.

Theo and his father ( Maleaume Paquin and François Damiens)

When the talent scout finally shows up, Laurent is overwhelmed with excitement. Theo sees a spark of hope and redemption rekindled in his father that he had not seen for a long time. Unfortunately, despite his skills behind the ball, the boy is informed that his short height makes it impossible to be selected to train at Arsenal. Not wanting to disappoint his father, Théo decides to make up a lie and pretend that he was selected. A seemingly harmless lie, but one that would lead to unintended and dire consequences.

Of Love and Lies is not the first Coming-of-Age film in which the story revolves around soccer. The father-son relationship is not so different than that explored in the Belgian 2005 film Buitenspel (also known as Gilles). Yet, the story highlights the dramatic aspect of growing up – unlike the light-hearted comedy approach in Kicking And Screaming (2005). The score and cinematography enhance the narrative but do not call attention to themselves, as is the case with the German flick Teufelskicker (2010). In Love and Lies, soccer has more of a backdrop role, and it is the characters and their story that capture one’s attention.

One could not help but notice a few motifs that frequently appear in Coming-of-Age narratives, such as dysfunctional families, separated parents, a father who has issues with alcohol and a father-son relationship.

Maleaume Paquin as Theo in Fourmi (2019) — Maleaume Paquin as Théo in Fourmi (2019)

The film’s real highlight is the excellent casting and especially the heartfelt performance of Maleaume Paquin as the young Théo. Observing his expressive and nuanced performance on screen, one could sense his character’s passion for sport and the love and affection he feels towards his father (portrayed equally well by François Damiens). In supporting roles, Pierre Gommé as Théo’ s techie friend Max and Cassiopée Mayance as his best friend Romane, also deserve mention.

Of Love and Lies is a feel-good family film that is guaranteed to inspire and touch viewers of all ages.

Of Love and Lies Trailer

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9767556/reference[/imdb]

Of Love and Lies (2019)

In short

Of Love and Lies is a feel-good family film that is guaranteed to inspire and touch viewers of all ages.

Character/Acting

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Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

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Reader Rating1 Votes

4

Our rating

Get the DVD at Amazon.com

DVD

Introducing Jensen Gering

When you first catch sight of singer Jensen Gering, you could be confused for a second and wonder if you have come across a hybrid of the adorable 1990s Hanson boys and a young Justin Bieber.

He has wavy blonde hair that flops over his eyes and a million-dollar smile. At 12 years old, his modeling career is already a decade underway, and he has collaborated with operations as iconic as Old Navy and Popsugar. Still, he has set his sights on a more artistic future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpfmDqsrII8

His Youtube channel is on fire. With 144,000 subscribers for his mixture of sweet covers and original songs, this singer is on track to take off in a big way. His Instagram, with another cool 117k followers, highlights the social and environmental conscience that the young Californian brings with him to his new musical career. He has supported the Heal the Bay initiative to reduce plastic pollution on the California coast and promote Earth day on his accounts. For Gen Z, these are big, important issues for youth today, and the model turned singer has his finger right on the pulse.

On his Youtube channel, Jensen mostly sings and plays the guitar, accompanying himself. The effect is a clean vocal melody and a harmonious, grounded guitar backing. He varies between playing a sage green electric Fender Strat guitar and a trusty acoustic depending on the track, but for his own material, he mainly sticks to the down-to-earth acoustic sounds. His vocal range is awe-inspiring for a singer his age, and you can lose yourself tapping along to the beat of his own creation, Beautiful to Me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKg0NySX2QI

His skills as an all-around musician and a singer are on display, too, especially with his original songs nEwW kId and Rewind. He is a bit of a breath of fresh air, but his music has just enough retro about it to make it feel immediately, comfortably familiar. There is also the feeling that even though he is talented, Jensen is not taking himself too seriously. He puts out feel-good tracks like his cover of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and Coldplay‘s Yellow and ends his videos with a grin and a breezy ‘Peace Out.’ Every inch the lovable beach bum in the making.

Jensen Gering’s online presence can’t help but make you smile. His TikTok snippet of him sitting in the sun doing some deft fingerpicking of the Beatles classic Here Comes the Sun is a bright spot in the internet maze. If you’re having a bad day, then there is no better medicine than his cover of Coffee by Beabadoobee.

He might look like a model, but it is clear that this is a singer and a musician with a lot more to deliver. Watch this space for an eco-conscious beach boy, built for 2021 and beyond. We can’t wait to see what’s next from Jensen Gering, a young new singer and model with an eye on the earth’s future and a nod to the best bits of the past.

Written by: AMorby

Cyanide

Cyanide (2013)

Father-son relationships frequently appear in Coming-of-Age cinema, but rarely in a positive light (there are some notable exceptions like the 1996 Portuguese drama Adeus, Pai).

In Cyanide (original title: Cyanure), thirteen-year-old Achille (Alexandre Etzlinger) is anxiously awaiting his father’s return from prison. He doesn’t know him well – for his dad was already serving his sentence when the boy was born. With his vivid imagination, Achille has created an idealized and heroic father figure of a free-spirited criminal.

Unfortunately for the young hero, his mother has committed the ultimate betrayal by having found another partner – a down-to-earth man and thus incredibly lame in the boy’s eyes. When the biological father is finally released, Achille tries his best to reconcile his parents, which sets him on a collision course with the harsh realities of life.

Cyanide has the atmosphere of real European drama (or a Canadian one) as it is a co-production between Canada and Switzerland. Its story, told from the young protagonist’s perspective, does not provide much excitement, nor does it invite one to identify with the characters. Yet, it still engages the audience with the true-to-life sense of dramatism achieved by telling a Coming-of-Age life story in an intriguing and non-manipulative manner.

Young hero's multi-colored eyes — Young hero’s multi-coloured eyes

The animated footage portraying Achille’s childhood fantasies (similar to those in the Danish 2010 flick, My Best Enemy), and the intriguing close-up of the young hero’s multi-coloured eyes, are cinematographic techniques enhancing the story. To them, we can add the few beautifully shot scenes sporadically dispersed throughout the film – portraying emotional moments of angst and despair or the loveliness of young love.

The film’s seriousness won’t appeal to all viewers. For example, even I enjoyed Guido Lombardi’s Stolen Days (given as an example because of some similarities in the plot) more because of its entwined, nonlinear dramatic structure compared to the relatively straight-forward linear approach of Cyanide.

Trailer

http://youtu.be/WNNWbZVTRUE

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2325611/reference[/imdb]

Cyanide (2013)

In short

A boy anxiously awaits his father’s return from prison after creating and building up an idealized and heroic father-figure.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating0 Votes

3.4

Our rating

Get the DVD at Amazon.com

DVD

Escape Into The Wild / L’Echappee sauvage (2017)

In his 2017 short film Escape Into The Wild (Original title: L’Echappee Sauvage), Philippe Reypens invites us into a nostalgia-soaked visual journey into one’s childhood by telling the story of a reserved private school pupil lured into a world of adventurous joy and friendly compassion by two mischievous kids.

The film aesthetic is a treasure to behold – its scenes are shot in a manner emphasizing the innocence and beauty of youth and the world surrounding us. Casting Henri Vander Maren, Theodore Cousin, and Elsa Devriendt in the lead roles is a great success as their charisma, beauty, and natural talent shine through in every scene.

Watch the entire film.

http://youtu.be/TVCnTX99I1A

Visual Storytelling

Utilizing extreme close-ups on the actor’s faces and slow-motion while taking full advantage of the natural light – the filmmakers achieved visual storytelling fully capable of touching one’s heart.

As change is present in the film’s narrative, it belongs to the Coming-of-Age genre. Seduction, shading one’s inhibitions in the pursuit of freedom, for new overpowering sensations such as friendship and possibly love are the narrative’s central themes.

The film does not feature dialogue, but the sound of nature, accompanied by a romantic piano score and the song Boy Lilikoi by Jonsi, flawlessly completes its poetic, dreamlike atmosphere.

Visual poetry is a great term that best describes Escape Into The Wild. A real treat to all senses, it earns my highest recommendation.

Escape Into The Wild / L’Echappee sauvage (2017)

In short

A nostalgia-soaked visual journey into one's childhood, Escape Into The Wild is shot in a manner emphasizing the innocence and beauty of youth and the world surrounding us.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Reader Rating2 Votes

4.8

Our rating

More about the film

IMDB

The German Lesson

Poster for the movie "" — © − All right reserved.

The German Lesson (2019)

“I have so much to say, I don’t know where to start.”

Adapted from the novel with the same name by Siegfried Lenz, The German Lesson is a Coming-of-Age film characterized by a beautifully structured and impactful screenplay. The narrative’s dramatic power builds up as the story develops, and the viewer starts to realize the situation that the characters find themselves in, the high toll each has to pay, and the harsh decisions to be made.

The Story

Shortly after World War II, the youngster Siggi Jepsen (Tom Gronau) is supposed to write an essay about “The Joys of Duty” in the reformatory school. When he hands in a blank sheet of paper, he is forced to do the job in his cell. Using flashback as a narrative tool, the filmmakers take us back to the time of Siggi’s childhood when the eleven-year-old boy (Levi Eisenblätter) is suffering from a strict and authoritarian upbringing at the hands of his father Jens Ole (Ulrich Noethen).

The German Lesson is a well-crafted period piece that successfully portrays Germany’s spirit near the end of the Second World War by focusing on a small village’s society. Its production design, combined with capable cinematography, dramatically enhances the scenes’ impact and the film’s overall atmosphere.

Visual Style

Since paintings and art are essential to the plot, the photographic composition in many of the scenes is creative and artistic. Germany’s North Sea coast is skillfully used both as background and as a character of its own. Panoramic views of vast landscapes are juxtaposed with the restricted, confined spaces of Siggi’s family house. As a whole, the settings in which the film is shot and its stylized locations pose melancholic qualities and highlight the reality and shape of the movie’s overall emotional atmosphere.

The screen duration of The German Lesson exceeds two hours. Yet, every minute is filled with meaning and insight into the characters and their life stories.

A Coming-of-Age Masterpiece

Yet, the story would not have been as compelling if it were not for the powerful acting performances delivered by the entire cast. The film is an excellent example of ensemble casting, with each character complementing the other. Siggi’s personality is greatly affected and influenced by his family and the social environment that surrounds him. He is too young to participate actively in any of the dramas that adults involve themselves with, but the fact that he is present shapes his personality significantly. As a result, Siggi’s character arc and inner struggles become a driving element of the story, turning the film into a Coming-of-Age masterpiece.

There are at least two heart-wrenching scenes — one involving the young protagonist and another his older brother. By the time of their occurrences, the psychological tension in both the characters and the viewer’s mind results in a vigorous reaction that only the best dramas manage to evoke (the 2003 drama Song for a Raggy Boy is one of the few other films that achieves the same level of emotional attachment).

The only flawed part of the narrative is the ending, as the motivation behind the character’s actions that got him into the youth reformatory in the first place are vague and wildly open for interpretation. Whereas I was able to justify his actions, I found myself wishing that something in the story could have helped in that respect – something I missed in both my initial and subsequent viewing of the film.

A Thought-provoking Film

The German Lesson is a thought-provoking film about war with little to no war scenes. It’s about ideologies and beliefs that intertwine and clash with each other. If one is right, are the rest wrong? Are duty and honour more important than morals, emotions, and compassion? Those are just some of the themes explored in a narrative that encourages reflection and won’t leave anyone indifferent.

The German Lesson Trailer

Due to the excellent cinematography, acting performances and overall storytelling of this film, The German Lesson is the best Coming-of-Age film I have seen this year. It had a significant impact on me, and I can’t recommend it highly enough for the wholesome cinematic experience it delivers.

The German Lesson (2019)

In short

The German Lesson is a Coming-of-Age film characterized by a beautifully structured and impactful screenplay.

4.8

Our score

Watch now

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Celed (2019)

Set in present-day Romania, the short Film Minion (original title: Celed) offers a glimpse into the life of a seven-year-old Romanian boy given as a helper to a shepherd in exchange for a little bit of food and animal produce.

On his first day of work, the boy loses a sheep and endures the hefty consequences of not being careful enough.

The film is beautifully shot, with the filmmakers taking full advantage of available natural lighting during the golden hour. This results in a gentle glow to the character’s facial features of the film’s young protagonist, which, in turn, highlights his innocence. While the story told in the film provides just a momentary glimpse into the protagonist’s life experience, the audience does not miss its significance. The coming-of-Age motif of the film is fully realized.

The expressive emotions displayed by the Razvan Timus in the role of a nameless boy destined to endure the harsh trials of life at the tender age of seven results in a palpable tension enchanting the narrative by intensifying its emotional impact.

Celed could easily be expanded into a full feature resulting in a movie of a similar nature to the Italian film The Story of Cino – The Child Who Crossed the Mountain (2013), but this would not necessarily make its story more effective.

The film addresses the issue of child labor in a harsh yet impactful manner.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8896392/reference[/imdb]

Celed (2019)

In short

A beautifully shot Romanian film that addresses the issue of child labor in a harsh, yet impactful manner.

4.7

Our score

Microbe and Gasoline

Microbe and Gasoline (2015)

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
– C.S. Lewis

Daniel and Theo (Ange Dargent and Theophile Baquet) are both misfits at their school.

Nicknamed Microbe & Gasoline – one for his short stature and youthful appearance and the other with hands always dirty with engine oil — the boys become friends and decide to run away from the daily routine by embarking on a tour of France with a curious vehicle they have built themselves out of a bed frame, tires and a lawnmower motor — all picked up at the junkyard.

As such, the bizarre self-built vehicle is banned from using the roads, so the boys create an intriguing camouflage.

The self-built car has a unique camouflage.

Microbe & Gasoline is first and foremost a Coming-of-Age film, although some similarities with other films in the genre (The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet, Motorama, North Sea Is Dead Sea) could categorize it as a road-film as well. As the two boys’ adventure turns out to be one of self-discovery, the road can be considered a metaphor for adolescence. With healthy doses of nostalgia, humor, teenage awkwardness, and budding sexuality – this French film is an atypical yet wholesome portrayal of the rite-of-passage we all go through.

Ange Dargent and Theophile Baquet as Daniel and Theo in Microbe and Gasoline

The original storyline of Microbe & Gasoline (much like Ursula Meier`s 2009 masterpiece Home) is refreshingly imaginative. It is simple and easy to follow, but it focuses on some big themes – individuality, friendship, and Coming-of-Age.

Both of the title protagonists are newcomers to the cinema. Ange Dargent and Theophile Baquet have undeniable chemistry and deliver natural performances resulting in dynamic characters. Daniel is an introvert, while Theo is an extrovert, which results in intriguing interactions. Each character seems to possess a quality that completes the other. Characterization in this film is done predominantly via the conversations between the two boys. This dialogue is filled with life hacks and pearls of wisdom regardless of the topic discussed (life, uniqueness of people, girls, love, or even masturbation).

It is easy to identify with either Daniel or Theo as we have all experienced one or many of their tribulations and adventures on the way to adulthood. It’s a process unavoidably accompanied by a sense of tender melancholy as sometimes in life, we lose more than our innocence. That justifies the film’s touching finale, which puts a realistic yet harsh ending to one great adventure.

[imdb]https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3882000/reference[/imdb]

Microbe & Gasoline Trailer

Microbe and Gasoline (2015)

In short

While first and foremost a Coming-of-Age film, Microbe and Gasoline might also be considered by some to be a road film. The narrative is filled with healthy doses of nostalgia, humor, teenage awkwardness, and budding sexuality.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating0 Votes

3.8

Our score

Watch now for free

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TheSkyKid.com

TheSKyKid.com

Of Love and Lies (2019)

Introducing Jensen Gering

Cyanide

Cyanide (2013)

Escape Into The Wild / L’Echappee sauvage (2017)

The German Lesson

The German Lesson (2019)

The Story

Visual Style

A Coming-of-Age Masterpiece

A Thought-provoking Film

Celed (2019)

Celed (2019)

Microbe and Gasoline

Microbe and Gasoline (2015)

King of the Hill