In the middle of the school year, 14-year-old Elias meets his new neighbour Alexander, a boy from Brussels who makes a self-confident and headstrong impression. The two hit it off immediately. Alexander wants to know if Elias has a girlfriend – and reveals without hesitation that he himself is into boys. Elias cherishes his time with Alexander. However, he prefers to keep the feelings germinating inside to himself. Fearing the reactions of those around him, he becomes entangled in a web of lies until he can’t help but push Alexander away. Feeling completely alone, Elias finds comfort and reassurance in the stories of his grandfather and his love for his deceased wife. Elias realises that love is too precious to let it slip away. He must win Alexander back…

Screening out of competition in the scope of “Kino macht Schule” in co-operation with Medienzentrum Wiesbaden and the donum vitae regional association for Wiesbaden and Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis e. V.

Anthony Schatteman, born in 1989, graduated from the KASK School of Arts in Ghent/Belgium and holds a Master’s degree in film theory and visual cultures from the University of Antwerp/Belgium. His first short film KISS ME SOFTLY already won international awards. In 2020/2021, he directed the TV series ALIVE and PANNA. His short film L’HOMME INCONNU premiered at Film Fest Ghent in 2021. In 2024, his feature-film debut YOUNG HEARTS premiered at the Berlinale.

Filmography (selection): 2012 KISS ME SOFTLY, 2017 PETIT AMI (both short films), 2022 2DE ZIT, 2023 NORTHERN LIGHTS (both TV series), 2024 YOUNG HEARTS

Awards (selection): Awards for Best International Feature and Outstanding Emerging Talent to Lou Goossens (FilmOut San Diego, USA 2024)