Tomboy

2011 Drama

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

Reviews

  • 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.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    11 May 2013

  • Tomboy is tender and affectionate. It shows us Laure/Mikael in an adventure that may be forgotten in adulthood or may form her adulthood.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    11 May 2013

  • Laure is pleasingly uncute, with a gruff demeanor that gives way to affecting glimpses of vulnerability.

    - Movieline

    11 May 2013

  • Less subtle than its predecessor, Tomboy is like a pint-size "Boys Don't Cry," and as such, it's practically unique.

    Mick LaSalle - The San Francisco Chronicle

    11 May 2013

  • Tomboy is as visually beautiful as its 10-year-old heroine is defiantly plain.

    Ty Burr - The Boston Globe

    11 May 2013

Awards

  • 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)