One is overwhelmed by the soul seeing news like the Oviedo twins falling out of a window and dying at such a young age, with a lifetime ahead of them. Unfortunately, this kind of news happens from time to time and with the recurring habit we run the risk of desensitize ourselves to such devastating events.
With the cinema we sometimes seek to escape from this news, partly as a protection mechanism so as not to plunge ourselves completely into the sinister and to be able to continue feeling affected when it happens. But they can also be a great approximation to that reality that completely stirs consciences and calls for action. In this regard, the social realism of ‘Close’ is more pertinent than it was at the time of its release.
Two guys
Lukas Dhont’s second film, one of the most surprising films of the past year and many would argue the best, has an unequivocal commitment to childhood and its problems that may be linked to mental health. What counts is really devastatingbut it does not delve into misery, and that is where its successes begin that are worth rescuing now that it can be seen in streaming through Movistar +.
The film introduces us to Léo and Rémi, two 13-year-olds who are lifelong friends. Very close, they spend almost all their time together and are very close to each other. Have a level of intimacy that only they can understand. Unfortunately, it is not something that can be transferred to the school environment, where a more distant and even violent facet must be presented in order not to lose the acceptance of a group with a misunderstanding of what it means to mature and manhood. This will precipitate a rift with fatal consequences.
There is a pivotal event that splits the movie in two, but it doesn’t break it, it just makes it terribly interesting. It could even be compared to what a film as different as ‘As bestas’ tries, except that here we are in an adolescent tone and without any thriller, just a delicate naturalism that lets the emotion breathe in an incredible way. And because of that it manages to disarm you.
‘Close’: emotional honesty
Dhont is very skilled at narrating, leaving the most terrible in off-screen so you never lose sight How are the protagonists affected?. With these tools, so minimalist but intelligently used, the Belgian tells us about what the youngest experience and that we adults can escape but it is tremendously urgent because of how it can affect them.
Emotional honesty, something that can be accused of softening children and adolescents, but the facts do not fail to show the problems of brutalization and repression that occur in playgrounds. I’m always very cynical about the power movies really have to make big changes, but a work like ‘Close’ does have enough to make an individual impact, and sometimes that’s all it takes. As if that were not enough, it is a beautiful and wonderfully told film.
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