An author returns to his hometown of Cognac for the first time in 35 years to help promote a distillery. Once there, he meets his first love’s son, Lucas. Memories come rushing back to him: irrepressible attraction, bodies becoming one in the heat of desire, a passion that can never be revealed… His first love’s name was Thomas. They were 17.
Guillaume de Tonquédec
Stéphane Belcourt
Victor Belmondo
Lucas Andrieu
Guilaine Londez
Gaëlle Flamand
Jéremy Gillet
Stéphane Belcourt (Young)
Julien de Saint Jean
Thomas Andrieu
Pierre-Alain Chapuis
Mr. Dejean
Cyril Couton
The Bookstore Owner
Marilou Gallais
Lucas' Grandmother
Doriane Chastanet
Nadine
Laurence Pierre
Ms. Dejean
Dominique Courait
Thierry
Julie Pépin Lehalleur
The Cellar Guide
Guillaume Le Doner
The Mixologist
Sophie Fougère
The Prefect
David Olivier Fischer
The Prefect's Husband
Jean-Francois Toulouse
Mr. Debauches
Laurence Macaire
Ms. Debauches
Davide Grody
American Importer
Victoria Boivin
American Importer
Amy Pasquet
American Importer
Lyman Louis
American Importer
Stephen Swinscode
American Importer
Larry Skoller
American Importer
William Coquerel
American Importer
Alban Petiteaux
American Importer
Michel-Alexandre Mahy
American Importer
Flavien Berlaud
Château Bagnolet Butler
Thierry David
Château Bagnolet Butler
Frédéric Lavigne
Yeuse Hotel Receptionist
Paul-Emile Fort
Yeuse Hotel Receptionist
Jocelyne Desverchère
The Editor (voice)
Nicole Cousseau
Thomas' Mother (voice)
Genevieve Brillet
Woman at Signing in Bookstore
Alexandre Cluchet
Man at Signing in Bookstore
Doriane Chastanet
Stéphane's High School Girl Friend
Valentin Guignier
Stéphane's High School Friend
Sacha Valentin-Couny
Stéphane's High School Friend
Noé Godard
Thomas' High School Friend
Paul Rougerie
Thomas' High School Friend
Noé Joly
Thomas' High School Friend
Elise Geyssely
Thomas' High School Friend
Théophile Lévy
Thomas' High School Friend
Kenny Bertry
Cellar Agent
Maxime Dupont
Cellar Agent
Brandon Raffier
Cellar Agent
Anthony Vilpoix
Cellar Agent
Marie-Cécile Lucas
Stéphane's Mother
Director, Writer
Olivier Peyon
Novel
Philippe Besson
Writer
Cécilia Rouaud
Writer
Vincent Poymiro
Writer
Arthur Cahn
August 24, 2023
7
Writer Stéphane Belcourt (Guillaume de Tonquédoc) has been suffering from a bit of a creative block when he agrees to return to his childhood home to do a presentation for it's legendary cognac producer. Somewhat disinterested in the whole affair he is greeted by the effusive "Gaëlle" (an increasingly scene-stealing Guiliane Londez) who races around ferrying him from pillar to post in quite a frenetic fashion. Quite by chance, there are some visiting Americans at the vineyard and they are being guided by "Lucas" (Victor Belmondo). The latter man has a surname that triggers memories in the former and now we are taken on a parallel tracked story that illustrates forbidden (first) love from 1984, and offers a shot at redemption for both the younger and the older man. The story is gently paced and the acting - especially from Jérémy Gillet as the author in his younger years - is really quite potent. The story of bigotry and conformity - and the lifelong ramifications for all concerned of fear and shame is played out stylishly and set against a backdrop of conflicted history. A community that lives it's life largely as it makes it's luxury "elixir" - in a time honoured fashion - finds that perhaps the best from that time has now passed. As I watched, I couldn't help wonder just how many people actually lived their lives like this - stuck with an opportunity-free rural existence amongst a gene pool of relationships that was never going to satisfy those more creative, imaginative and , of course, gay who emerged! This is well worth a watch - and Belmondo is a dead ringer for his grand-father too!
Status:
Released
Original Language:
French
Budget:
$2,100,000.00
Revenue:
$0.00