#jeanne disson

[pseudojake]

[mariwatchesmovies]

Tomboy (2011) dir. Céline Sciamma cine. Crystel Fournier

[erstwhile-punk-guerito]

[addictivecontradiction]

Holy motors, 2012

[cilicodr-art]

Movie-log 

073. Tomboy

Céline Sciamma -- 2011 | France | 8

[ozu-teapot]

Tomboy | Céline Sciamma | 2011

[tudorscharlot]

Tomboy (Céline Sciamma, 2011)

I don’t know of a more loving film than this. It seems like this should be required viewing for every parent - or just everyone. Not just because of the important gender and trans issues it addresses, but because I’ve rarely seen a film that captures so vibrantly how it feels to be a child in general and how it feels to be a child with feelings and desires you don’t know how to express in particular. So many kids are harmed so badly because their parents and teachers and peers don’t give them space to figure out who they are. Or, if they’ve figured out who they are, they reject or mock or assault them. That is so much the reality of the world of queer and trans kids that I was anxious through my whole first viewing of this that Laure would be hurt or injured. Fortunately, everything turns out okay.

Sciamma is a master storyteller. She has packed a tremendous amount of feeling and information into a film that is less than 90 minutes long and that has a high number of scenes that move slowly and lack dialogue or overt action. I love so much that the first three scenes of the film are devoted to showing Laure interacting affectionately with each member of her family: riding in the car with her dad and then sitting on his lap and steering as they approach their new house; greeting her sister and then cuddling and chatting on her bed; greeting her mom, touching her pregnant belly, and cuddling some more. 

The majority of the cast is children, and they all incredible. It seems like an act of magic that Ms. Sciamma was able to get so many talented and totally natural children together to tell this story - especially Zoé Héran as Laure/Mickäel, Malonn Lévana as her sister Jeanne, and Jeanne Disson as her friend Lisa. They are all perfect.

Like Naissance des pieuvres (Birth of the Octopuses), this film vibrates with the sensations of summer. The colors and sounds are rich, and everything moves with the pace of endless sunny days stretching out ahead. There are troubles and conflicts, but this story ends with its hero knowing that her family loves and accepts her and that she hasn’t lost her good friend. Céline Sciamma is so good at telling stories that are very realistic and honest about how people and the world are while still being fiercely protective of her characters. This is one of the best movies ever. 

[maxwelltait]

Tomboy (Sciamma, 2011)