Young Hearts (2024 film)

Young Hearts
Festival release poster
Directed by	Anthony Schatteman
Written by	Anthony Schatteman
Produced by	Xavier Rombaut Floor Onrust Annabella Nezri
Starring	Lou Goossens Marius De Saeger
Cinematography	Pieter Van Campe
Edited by	Emiel Nuninga
Music by	Ruben De Gheselle
Production companies	Polar Bear Family Affair Films Kwassa Films
Distributed by	Kinepolis Film Distribution
Release date	17 February 2024 (2024-02-17) (Berlinale)
Running time	97 minutes
Countries	Belgium Netherlands
Languages	Dutch French

Young Hearts is a 2024 coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Anthony Schatteman in his feature directorial debut. The film tells the story of 14-year-old boy Elias, who falls in love with his new neighbour boy Alexander of the same age.

The Belgian-Dutch co-production was selected in the Generation Kplus section at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its World premiere on 17 February and compete for Crystal Bear for the Best Film.

Synopsis

Elias, a normal 14-year-old from the Belgian countryside, forms a friendship with his new neighbor, Alexander, a confident and headstrong boy from Brussels. As the two grow closer, Alexander reveals that he was in love with a boy and asks Elias if he has experienced true love, a question that lingers in his mind.

For the first time, Elias begins to understand the depth of his feelings as he starts to fall in love with Alexander. However, overwhelmed by fear of judgment and rejection, Elias denies his emotions, distancing himself from his friends, family, and Alexander to hide his truth. Consumed by loneliness and regret, Elias struggles with the weight of his decisions.

A heartfelt conversation with his grandfather, who shares a story of his enduring love for his late wife, inspires Elias to confront his fears. Realizing that love is too precious to let slip away, he gathers the courage to reconcile with Alexander, taking a brave step toward embracing his feelings and the possibility of love.

This tender coming-of-age story explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the courage it takes to follow one’s heart.

Cast

• Lou Goossens as Elias
• Marius De Saeger as Alexander
• Geert Van Rampelberg as Luk (Elias' father)
• Emilie De Roo as Nathalie (Elias' mother)
• Dirk Van Dijck as Fred (Elias' grandfather)
• Saar Rogiers as Valerie (Alexander friend and Elias' girlfriend/friend)
• Jul Goossens as Maxime (Elias' brother)
• Wilm Opbrouck as Uncle Tony (Alexander's uncle)
• Florence Hebbelynck as Aunt Pia (Alexander's aunt)
• Olivier Englebert as Marc (Alexander's father)

Production

Young Hearts is the debut directing feature film for Anthony Schatteman featuring Lou Goossens and Marius De Saeger in the main roles, with Geert Van Rampelberg, Emilie De Roo, and Dirk Van Dyck playing pivotal supporting roles. The film is produced by Polar Bear, in co-production with the Belgian Kwassa Films and the Dutch Family Affair Films.

The development of the film began in 2019 and spanned four years. The production crew dedicated six months to scouting suitable filming locations. An open casting call was held for the main roles, seeking boys aged 11 to 18. Director Anthony Schatteman, alongside his best friend and the film's Children’s Coach, Oliver Roels, reviewed over 1,500 auditions. Marius De Saeger was the first actor cast, as his personality and personal life closely aligned with the character of Alexander. Lou Goossens was later selected for the role of Elias, chosen for his natural connection with De Saeger and the parallels between his personal life and that of the character. Filming commenced in August 2023 and was completed over a span of 28 days.

The film's narrative draws heavily from Schatteman's own youth and personal experiences. In an interview with the Teddy Award, he described it as the film he "needed or wanted to see" during his adolescence. Schatteman aimed to create a universal coming-of-age story that could resonate with viewers of all ages. He emphasized the film’s focus on romance, drawing inspiration from his own life, and its intent to evoke strong emotions. The story centers on themes of identity, self-discovery, and the struggles of growing up.

Release

Young Hearts had its World premiere on 17 February 2024, as part of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, in Generation Kplus. It was also screened at 50th Seattle International Film Festival in May 2024 and 77th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes Écrans Juniors section on 22 May 2024. It had its Canadian premiere at the Inside Out Film and Video Festival on 28 May 2024 in Centrepiece Gala.

It also featured in the International Competition of Feature Films in the junior category on 2 June 2024 in the 64th edition of the Zlín Film Festival, also known as the International Film Festival for Children and Youth held in the Czech Republic. The film competed for Iris Prize Best Feature Award in Iris Prize and was screened on 10 October 2024.

The film was released in Belgian cinemas on 18 December 2024 by Kinepolis Film Distribution. The film was released in Dutch cinemas on 19 December 2024. Although the film is anticipated to premiere globally in early 2025, writer and director Anthony Schatteman revealed in an interview that it is slated for release in the United States on February 14, 2025.

Reception

Aurore Engelen reviewing the film at Berlinale for Cineuropa wrote, "Young Hearts is an authentic coming-of-age tale which enriches the existing body of family films with a wonderful queer love story."

Catherine Bray writing in Variety praised Lou Goossens, for being "naturalistic and able to convey subtle shades of inner turmoil, despite his young age." Praising director Anthony Schatteman for his direction wrote, "his direction feels calm and quietly confident in ways that is not always the case with a debut." Concluding her review she opined, "Young Hearts, while gentler and less obviously tear-jerking, benefits from a sincere and lived-in emotional honesty which serves its aims well."

Hayley Croke reviewing at Berlinale in Loud And Clear Reviews awarded 3.5 stars and wrote, "Young Hearts, beautifully encapsulates the feelings of having your first love in its entirety." Croke concluded, "While a love story, Young Hearts really is a story about coming into yourself as a young person and the decisions you have to make in the quest to find who you are."

Amber Wilkinson reviewing at Berlinale in Eye For Film awarded 3.5 stars and wrote, "This coming-of-age drama gently probes the insecurities experienced by a teenager as he explores his sexuality."Wilkinson opined, "It may be a little sentimental at the edges, but the heart of Anthony Schatteman’s film is in the right place."

Laslo Rojas Contreras reviewing at Berlinale in Cinencuentro wrote, "Young Hearts is a film that offers a positive perspective on gay relationships, and tries to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that still exist within society, yet perhaps in a way that is too light for the current times."

Alexa Dalby reviewing at Berlinale in Dog and Wolf rated the film with three stars and wrote, "The boys’ performances are outstanding." Concluding Dalby wonders, "how much the film is influenced by 1976 disco song "Young Hearts Run Free" by Candi Staton?"

Accolades

The film was selected in Generation Kplus at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, thus it was nominated to compete for the Crystal Bear.

Award	Date	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival	25 February 2024	Children's Jury Generation Kplus:Special Mention	Anthony Schatteman	Won
		Teddy Award for Best Feature Film		Nominated
Seattle International Film Festival	19 May 2024	SIFF 2024 New Directors Competition :Special Jury Mention		Won
Inside Out Film and Video Festival	1 June 2024	Outstanding Performance	Lou Goossens	Won
Out on Film	7 October 2024	Jury Awards for Best Narrative Feature and Best First Feature	Anthony Schatteman	Won
Iris Prize	19 October 2024	Iris Prize Best Feature Award		Won

External links

• Official website
• Young Hearts at IMDb 
• Young Hearts at Rotten Tomatoes
• Young Hearts at Teddy Award
• Young Hearts at Berlinale