The Award-Winning Coming-of-Age Film ‘Close’ Hits OTT Release on May 19

2024-04-24
10:33

The coming-of-age drama film ‘Close’, a co-production of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, is directed by Lukas Dhont and co-written by Dhont and Angelo Tijssens, marking their collaboration since their first feature film, “Girl” (2018).

‘Close’ stars Eden Dambrine, Gustav de Waele as Léo, and Rémi, along with Émilie Dequenne, Léa Drucker, Kevin Janssens, Marc Weiss, Igor van Dessel, and Léon Bataille. The film explores the complexities of a friendship between two teenage boys, which unravels when their peers reveal their intimacy, leading to a deep rift between them.

Following its premiere at Cannes, where it earned a standing ovation and the Grand Prix, “Close” also won the Sydney Film Prize at the 69th Sydney Film Festival. Diaphana Distribution released it in France on November 1, 2022, and Lumière in Benelux on November 2. A24 brought it to the US on January 27, 2023, after a limited theatrical run in New York City and Los Angeles. During Cannes, Mubi secured distribution rights for various regions. And now it’s coming to Netflix for its OTT release, starting next month!

Trigger Warning: Suicide

In the film, set in rural Belgium, two 13-year-old boys, Léo and Rémi, share a close bond, often sleeping in the same bed in Rémi’s room. Léo’s family is involved in agricultural work at a flower farm, where the boys enjoy spending time together. When rumors at school question their relationship, Léo distances himself from Rémi, leading to a confrontation and Rémi’s tragic suicide. Léo struggles with guilt and grief, confiding in his older brother, Charlie. He eventually finds comfort in confiding in Sophie, Rémi’s mother. As summer arrives, Léo finally confronts the depth of his loss and begins to mourn Rémi.

The award-winning movie ‘Close’ is set to premiere on the global streaming platform Netflix in selected regions starting on May 19th.

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