Dhont shows incredible promise as a film maker. While his debut film, Girl, was impressive in many ways, it did demonstrate the dangers of telling stories outside of your own experience. While well intentioned and beautifully crafted as a movie, his film about a transgirl was rife with problematic tropes and a narrative that just showed a lack of real understanding of the trans experience. So watching his film Close, a story much closer to home for Dhont, showed just what a powerful film maker the young director is.
This is the story of two young men on the cusp of adolescence whose relationship falls just outside the heteronormative standards for their community and the repercussions of that. It is incredibly told with sensitivity and heart despite the story ending up being quite intense. The young non-actors cast as our two protagonists are both incredible with Dambrine standing out as a natural talent who, if he chooses to go on to have a career as an actor, will no doubt be giving show stopping performances well into the future. It is hard to describe just how powerful Close is, especially since most of the story is suggested more than told.
Close is going to rock you so be prepared, but otherwise go in with as little info as you can and just let this amazing film by amazing young film makers wash over you.
Close
Starring: Eden Dambrine, Gustav De Waele, Émilie Dequenne
Director: Lukas Dhont
Writers: Angelo Tijssens, Lukas Dhont
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