Movie of the Day: Young Hearts (2024) by Anthony Schatteman
- dailyentertainment95
- Apr 19
- 6 min read
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/nl/movie/young-hearts-2024 (Netherlands)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15245268/
About movie: https://filmsboutique.com/film/young-hearts/
Detailed Summary: "Young Hearts" is a 2024 coming-of-age drama that tells the story of 14-year-old Elias, who lives in the Belgian countryside. His life takes a turn when a new neighbor, Alexander, moves in across the street from Brussels. Alexander is confident and outgoing, which contrasts with Elias's quieter nature. As they become friends, Elias starts to develop romantic feelings for Alexander, experiencing first love for the first time. The film explores Elias's journey of self-discovery, his burgeoning sexuality, and the challenges he faces in understanding and accepting his feelings, as well as navigating his relationships with friends and family.
Plot Summary: Elias, a 14-year-old living in a peaceful Flemish village, forms a close friendship with his new neighbor, Alexander, who is also 14 but more self-assured. Through their interactions, Elias starts to realize he is falling in love with Alexander. Confused and potentially fearing judgment, Elias grapples with his newfound emotions, leading to internal conflict as he tries to reconcile his feelings and understand what they mean for his relationships and identity. The film follows Elias as he navigates the complexities of first love and self-discovery.
Director's Vision: Anthony Schatteman, in his feature directorial debut, aimed to create an optimistic and heartwarming film focused on first love and self-discovery, drawing inspiration from his own life. His vision was to craft a universal coming-of-age story that resonates with viewers of all ages, emphasizing emotions, connections, and identity without necessarily delving into sexual territory. He wanted to create a film that he himself "needed or wanted to see" during his adolescence, celebrating sensitivity and portraying queer youth in a supportive environment.
Themes:
First Love: The film beautifully captures the innocence and intensity of experiencing romantic feelings for the first time, particularly during adolescence.
Self-Discovery and Identity: Elias's journey is centered around understanding his sexuality and accepting his true feelings, a significant aspect of coming of age.
Friendship and Connection: The bond between Elias and Alexander is central to the story, highlighting the importance of connection and how it can lead to deeper self-understanding.
Acceptance and Support: The film portrays a generally supportive environment for Elias, showcasing the importance of understanding friends and family in navigating one's identity.
Courage and Authenticity: As Elias grapples with his feelings, he ultimately needs to find the courage to embrace his truth and be authentic to himself.
Key Success Factors:
Heartwarming and Optimistic Story: The film is noted for its tender and uplifting portrayal of first love, offering a positive perspective on queer youth.
Authentic Performances: The young leads, Lou Goossens as Elias and Marius De Saeger as Alexander, have been praised for their natural and genuine performances, particularly Goossens for his subtle portrayal.
Beautiful Cinematography: The film is beautifully shot in the scenic Belgian countryside, with vibrant visuals that enhance the emotional atmosphere.
Focus on Emotions and Connections: The narrative prioritizes the characters' feelings and the development of their relationships, creating a strong emotional resonance.
Recognition at Film Festivals: The film received a Special Mention at the Berlin Film Festival (Generation Kplus), and won several awards at other festivals, including FilmOut San Diego and Out on Film Atlanta, indicating its quality and appeal.
Summary Short: In the Belgian countryside, 14-year-old Elias experiences the joys and confusion of first love when he develops feelings for his new neighbor Alexander, leading to a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Awards and Nominations: "Young Hearts" received a Special Mention from the Children's Jury in the Generation Kplus section at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival. It has also won the Best International Feature and Outstanding Emerging Talent (for Lou Goossens) awards at FilmOut San Diego 2024, as well as Jury Awards for Best Narrative Feature and Best First Feature at Out on Film Atlanta 2024. It also received an Honorable Mention for Outstanding First Feature at Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival 2024.
Critics Reception: "Young Hearts" has received positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a perfect 100% rating based on 17 reviews. Aurore Engelen of Cineuropa described it as an "authentic coming-of-age tale which enriches the existing body of family films with a wonderful queer love story." Robert Daniels of RogerEbert.com 1 gave it 3 out of 4 stars, praising Schatteman's direction and the performances of the young leads. G. Allen Johnson of the San Francisco Chronicle lauded Lou Goossens's "astonishingly subtle" performance and noted the film's focus on fragile thoughts and feelings.
Reviews:
Roger Ebert: Praised the film's earnestness and its understanding that coming of age is inherently traumatic without needing over-dramatization, highlighting Lou Goossens's quiet portrayal of Elias.
Cineuropa: Described it as a confidently directed yet simple film that authentically portrays a coming-of-age story with a wonderful queer love story.
Spectrum Culture: Noted its dreamy, sensory atmosphere reminiscent of "Call Me By Your Name," but highlighted that it focuses more on the beautiful transformation of self-love and acceptance rather than heartbreak.
Film Fest Report: Called it a touching and delightful film about friendship and love, praising its solid visual style and the joyful generosity brought to the characters.
Overall Summary of Critics Reception: "Young Hearts" is widely praised for its sweet and authentic portrayal of first love and self-discovery. Critics have commended the film's sensitive direction, the strong performances of the young actors, and its heartwarming narrative that handles themes of queer identity with warmth and positivity.
Box Office: "Young Hearts" has a worldwide gross of $78,439 according to The Numbers.
Production: "Young Hearts" is a co-production between Belgium and the Netherlands. It is written and directed by Anthony Schatteman, drawing from his own personal experiences. The film was produced by Xavier Rombaut of Polar Bear, and co-produced by Floor Onrust of Family Affair Films and Annabella Nezri of Kwassa Films.
Production Companies:
Polar Bear (Belgium)
Family Affair Films (Netherlands)
Kwassa Films (Belgium)
Sales Companies:
Films Boutique - handled the international sales of the film.
Distribution Companies:
Kinepolis Film Distribution (Belgium)
Epicentre Films (France)
Strand Releasing (North America)
Release Date:
Theatrical Release: The film was released in Belgium on December 18, 2024, and in France on February 19, 2025. It had a US release on March 14, 2025.
Streaming Release: Information about a specific streaming release date is not readily available in the provided search results.
Why to Recommend This Movie:
For a Heartwarming and Tender Coming-of-Age Story: It beautifully portrays the innocence of first love and self-discovery.
If You Appreciate Authentic and Believable Characters: The young actors deliver natural and engaging performances.
For a Positive and Supportive Representation of Queer Youth: The film handles its themes with sensitivity and optimism.
If You Enjoy Visually Appealing and Well-Crafted Independent Films: The cinematography and direction contribute to a pleasant viewing experience.
Why to Watch Movie:
To Witness a Sweet and Earnest Depiction of First Love: It captures the unique emotions and experiences of young romance.
To See a Story of Self-Acceptance and Understanding: Elias's journey is relatable to anyone who has navigated questions of identity.
To Support Emerging Filmmakers: Anthony Schatteman's debut feature is a promising work.
For a Feel-Good Movie That Leaves You with a Warm Impression: Despite some moments of internal conflict, the overall tone is positive and hopeful.
What Movie Trend film is following:
LGBTQ+ Coming-of-Age Stories: There is an increasing number of films focusing on the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth as they navigate love, identity, and acceptance.
Gentle and Character-Driven Independent Cinema: The film prioritizes character development and emotional nuances over complex plots or dramatic twists.
What Big Social Trend is following:
Growing Acceptance and Visibility of LGBTQ+ Youth: The film reflects a more open and supportive environment for young people exploring their sexual identity.
Emphasis on Authenticity and Inclusivity in Storytelling: There is a demand for stories that represent diverse experiences and perspectives with sincerity and warmth.
Final Verdict: "Young Hearts" is a tender and heartwarming coming-of-age story that beautifully captures the experience of first love and self-discovery in a supportive environment. With authentic performances and a gentle narrative, it's a refreshing and optimistic addition to LGBTQ+ cinema that resonates with its emotional honesty and genuine portrayal of young queer romance.
Recommendations for Film Makers:
Focus on Authentic Emotional Portrayals: The film's strength lies in its ability to convey the genuine feelings of its characters.
Create Supportive and Understanding Environments in Queer Stories: While conflict is natural, depicting positive and accepting communities can be impactful.
Trust Young Actors to Carry Emotional Weight: Lou Goossens's performance is a testament to the talent of young performers.
Utilize Cinematography to Enhance the Mood and Setting: The film's visuals play a significant role in creating its atmosphere.
Recommendations for Movie Industry:
Continue to Support and Distribute LGBTQ+ Themed Films: There is a growing audience for diverse and inclusive stories.
Recognize the Importance of Positive Representation for Young Audiences: Films like "Young Hearts" can have a significant impact on how young people see themselves and others.
Invest in Character-Driven Independent Cinema: These films often offer unique perspectives and resonate deeply with viewers.
Support First-Time Feature Directors with Promising Visions: Anthony Schatteman's work demonstrates the potential of emerging talent.
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