Movies: Ollie (2024) by Antoine Besse: The Unspoken Language of Skateboarding

Trend: the "Rural Coming-of-Age". The Countryside Chronicle This trend in cinema focuses on the coming-of-age journey of a young protagonist set against the backdrop of a rural or non-urban environment. These films explore themes of isolation, intergenerational conflict, and the search for identity in a place that feels disconnected from the modern world. They often highlight the tension between tradition and modernity, and the way a protagonist’s passion or a connection with an outsider can be a lifeline in a suffocating environment.

• Sense of Place: The rural setting is a character in itself, shaping the protagonist's worldview and serving as a source of both comfort and confinement.

• Non-traditional Mentorships: The protagonist's guide is often an unlikely or marginalized figure who provides a different perspective on life.

• Finding an Escape: The films show how a hobby or an art form can be a crucial outlet for a young person's emotional turmoil and a way to connect with others.

About: The Farm and the Skateboard Ollie is a French drama that tells a deeply personal and moving story of grief, connection, and self-discovery. Directed by Antoine Besse, the film is an homage to his own past as a skateboarder and is inspired by the death of a friend. It centers on a young boy and a troubled adult who find common ground and a path to healing through their shared passion for skateboarding. The film explores the profound emotional weight of loss and the surprising ways in which people can find solace and rebuild their lives.

Short Summary: An Unlikely Bond After his mother's sudden death, 13-year-old Pierre is forced to move back to his father's farm. Struggling with grief and social isolation, he finds refuge in skateboarding. He meets Bertrand, an older former skateboarder who works as a seasonal laborer on the farm and is battling his own demons. The two form an unlikely friendship, with Bertrand becoming a mentor to Pierre. Together, they use skateboarding as a way to confront their pasts and find a way forward in their lives.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30415406/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/467823/

About movie: https://www.waynapitch.com/ollie

Link to watch: https://www.universcine.com/films/ollie (France)

Detailed Summary: Two Outsiders, One Passion The film's narrative is a quiet, character-driven story that unfolds with a sense of raw emotional honesty.

• Pierre, a shy and introverted boy, returns to the countryside after his mother's death. He feels like an outsider at school and on his own father's farm. His only solace is his skateboard, which he uses to escape his grief and the suffocating environment of his new life.

• He meets Bertrand, a troubled and rebellious man who is older and more world-weary. Bertrand is also an outsider in the rural community, dealing with a tragic past that haunts him.

• Pierre is immediately fascinated by Bertrand, especially when he discovers that Bertrand was a talented skateboarder in his youth. Bertrand agrees to mentor Pierre, and their bond deepens through their shared passion.

• The film uses skateboarding as a metaphor for resilience and self-expression. Each fall and each successful trick represents a step forward in their emotional journeys.

• As their friendship grows, they begin to open up to each other about their respective traumas. The film's climax is not a grand competition but a moment of emotional honesty where they both confront the pain of their pasts and find the strength to heal.

Director's Vision: The Aesthetics of Grieving Antoine Besse, a former skateboarder himself, brings a unique and authentic perspective to the film.

• Authentic Portrayal: Besse is committed to a realistic portrayal of skateboarding and rural life. The film uses a lot of natural light, and the camera work often feels raw and immediate, capturing the energy of the sport without glamorizing it.

• The Skate as a Medium: The director has stated that he wanted the film to be a conversation between the two protagonists, with skateboarding acting as the primary medium for their unspoken emotions and traumas. The film's title, Ollie, refers to a basic but fundamental skateboarding trick, symbolizing the first step towards a new beginning.

• A Tribute to the Unseen: The director has said that the film is a tribute to all the young people in rural areas who feel unseen and unheard. He aimed to give a voice to those living on the margins and highlight the universal human need for connection and understanding.

Themes: Grief, Friendship, and Finding Your Place

• The Non-Linear Nature of Grief: The film portrays grief not as a linear process but as a complex and ongoing journey. Pierre’s mourning is intertwined with his adolescent struggles, while Bertrand’s pain is a long-standing wound he is trying to heal.

• The Power of an Unlikely Friendship: The bond between Pierre and Bertrand is the heart of the film. It shows how two very different people, brought together by a shared passion, can become each other's support system and help each other to heal.

• The Search for Belonging: The film explores the universal desire to find a place where one feels they belong. For Pierre, that place is not on his father’s farm but in the world of skateboarding, a world where he is understood and accepted.

Key success factors: A Poignant and Relatable Story

• Emotional Depth: The film's greatest strength is its ability to convey a deep sense of emotion without relying on heavy-handed dialogue. The performances and the visual storytelling do most of the work.

• Strong Performances: The lead actors, Théo Christine and Kristen Billon, deliver powerful and believable performances that anchor the film's emotional core.

• Authentic Setting: The film's authentic portrayal of rural life and skateboarding makes it feel grounded and real.

Awards and Nominations: Recognition at Festivals Ollie received a nomination for the Young Audience Award at the Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur. It has also been showcased at other international festivals, including the Film Francophone d'Angoulême.

Critics reception: A Moving and Sincere Debut

• Le Bleu du Miroir: This review praised the film's ability to be a "film about the countryside, a film about ghosts, and a film about skateboarders," highlighting its unique combination of genres and themes. The critic noted that it is a "beautiful success" that "deserves to be seen."

• aVoir-aLire.com: The review called the film a "beautiful success" and "an emotional provincial chronicle on a skateboarding background." It praised the film's dynamic nature and its ability to deal with contemporary social issues like rural decline and harassment.

• Overall Summary: The critical reception for Ollie has been positive, with critics highlighting its sincere and moving approach to a difficult subject. The film was praised for its strong performances, its authentic setting, and its unique blend of genres.

Reviews: An Emotional and Captivating Watch

• Culturopoing: The review from Culturopoing called the film "a simple and candid story" that "touches the heart." The reviewer praised the director's ability to create a film that is both poetic and accessible to a wide audience.

• SeriesDeFilms: This review called Ollie a "very sympathetic trial" that "shows a promising career for Antoine Besse." The reviewer praised the lead actors for their "touching" and "impulsive" performances and noted that the film's emotional journey is "very well-paced."

• Overall Summary: Reviews generally agree that Ollie is a heartfelt and beautifully made film. While some found its narrative to be predictable, most viewers were captivated by its emotional honesty and its unique use of skateboarding as a central theme.

Why to watch this movie: A Story That Resonates

• A Unique Take on a Classic Genre: For those who appreciate coming-of-age stories, this film offers a fresh and modern perspective by incorporating the subculture of skateboarding into a rural setting.

• A Heartfelt and Sincere Film: This film is a testament to the power of human connection and the strength of the human spirit. It is a deeply moving and emotionally resonant story that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

• An Inspiring Story of Resilience: The film shows how a person can find the strength to rebuild their life after a devastating loss. It is a story of hope and resilience that is both powerful and inspiring.

Movie Trend: The Sport as a Metaphor Ollie is a perfect example of a trend where a sport is used as a metaphor for a character’s personal journey. Unlike traditional sports dramas that focus on competition and winning, these films use the physical act of a sport—like skateboarding, running, or boxing—to represent a character’s internal struggles with grief, trauma, and identity. The sport becomes a form of therapy and a language for the characters to communicate what they cannot put into words.

Social Trend: The Urban-Rural Divide The film taps into the "urban-rural divide," a social trend that explores the growing gap in values, culture, and economic opportunity between urban centers and rural areas. The film highlights the isolation and lack of resources for young people in the countryside and how a traditionally urban pursuit like skateboarding becomes a unique form of self-expression in a rural setting. It is a sensitive and insightful look at the challenges of growing up outside of a major city.

Final Verdict: A Beautiful and Moving Debut Ollie is a beautiful and moving directorial debut from Antoine Besse. It is a quiet, poetic, and deeply human film that uses the backdrop of skateboarding to tell a story of grief, healing, and the power of human connection. While it may not be a fast-paced thriller, its emotional honesty and powerful performances make it a truly memorable and essential film.