Plot
Nicolas is a boy living on a remote island set in the future, or another planet - or is it a dream? His village consists of white-painted houses located above the sea with a volcanic rock and black sand coastline, populated by young women and boys all of a similar age to Nicolas. Whilst swimming, Nicolas makes a discovery in the ocean, which is shrugged off by his mother, who, like all the women in the town has tied-back hair, is pale and wears a simple thin beige dress. Nicolas is curious, thinks that he is being lied to and starts to explore his environment, witnessing some unsettling scenes. He then finds himself taken to a hospital-like building where he, along with the others, undergoes a series of medical procedures by the women, dressed as nurses. He is befriended by one nurse, who becomes instrumental in the film's denouement. The film is not easy to categorise; it is not only enigmatic but beautifully filmed with deeply poetic imagery. It reflects the fear of the unknown, experienced by a boy on the cusp of adolescence.
Written by
Lucile Hadzihalilovic, Alante Kavaite, Geoff Cox
Directed by
Lucile Hadzihalilovic
Crew
Production Countries
Belgium, France, Spain
Production Companies
Noodles Production, Agat Films & Cie / Ex Nihilo, CNC, Cinéfeel Prod, Le Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral de Belgique, Indéfilms 3, Evo Films A.I.E., Left Field Ventures, Volcano Films, Les films du Worso, SCOPE Pictures, Ciné+, Palatine Étoile 12, Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, Canal+
Languages
Français
Awards
7 wins & 16 nominations