Tomboy
A little girl's innocent deception quickly snowballs into something that gradually becomes a crucial component of her identity in director Céline Sciamma's tender childhood drama. Ten-year-old Laure and her family have just moved into a new neighborhood. Although the little girl longs to make friends her age, she isn't quite certain how to go about it. Then, one day, Laure meets Lisa, and the two girls seem to hit it off. When Lisa makes the assumption that her new friend is a boy, however, Laure assumes the identity of Mikael, and quietly plays along. Before long, Mikael has made friends with the other children in the neighborhood as well. Meanwhile, the closer Lisa and Mikael become, the more delicate Laure's deception grows.
Director: Céline Sciamma
Starring: Zoé Héran, Sophie Cattani,Mathieu Demy, Yohan Vero
The startling power of Tomboy, a beautiful, matter-of-fact French drama about a young girl who wants to be a boy - and for one singular summer around her 10th birthday passes as one - begins with the one-of-a-kind natural performance by Zoé Héran as Laure.
Tomboy is tender and affectionate. It shows us Laure/Mikael in an adventure that may be forgotten in adulthood or may form her adulthood.
Laure is pleasingly uncute, with a gruff demeanor that gives way to affecting glimpses of vulnerability.
Less subtle than its predecessor, Tomboy is like a pint-size "Boys Don't Cry," and as such, it's practically unique.
Tomboy is as visually beautiful as its 10-year-old heroine is defiantly plain.
Céline Sciamma
Berlin International Film Festival (2011)
Zoé Héran
Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema (2012)
Outstanding Film - Limited Release
GLAAD Media Awards (2012)
Best Feature
Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (2011)
Best Feature
San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (2011)