There are times one feels emotionally lost and unheard like Lucas in the Le Lyceen/Winter Boy by Christophe Honore. The movie is a slow burner yet beautiful, takes us to the world of 17-years old boarding school student struggling through the loss of his father as well as his inner world which seemingly complex and in dire need of guidance and tender. The family is so much focused on the appearances, and thus turns a blind eye to the inner screams of Lucas, played by Paul Kircher who is a real gem of this movie. Vincent Lacoste, Juliette Binoche, and Erwan Kepoa Fale are also excellent. Strongly recommended.

This film deserves to be widely seen. So far I have not found it with English subtitles so some of the dialogue is guesswork on my part. Following a family tragedy the remaining family members come together where the wake is all about provincial appearances. The central young character, Lucas, is more interested in the truth rather than emotions dictated by convention. He is himself casual in his feelings about his local boyfriend and during a stay in Paris with his brother he begins to explore both mind and body with the help of a priest and a casual pick-up. I was drawn into his complex world helped in a large part by the soliloquies to camera. He remains vulnerable throughout and the possibility of exploitation seems to be ever present. The acting is fine throughout and often understated.