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Ten-year-old Johnny lives with his mother and two siblings in a poor neighborhood in Eastern France. Sensitive and clever, he is interested in many things, but one day he becomes fascinated by a new teacher from the city.

©Avenue_B

Director: Samuel THEIS
Cast: Aliocha REINERT, Antoine REINARTZ, Mélissa OLEXA, Izïa HIGELIN

2021 / France / 93min.

 

Softie, world-premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week, deals with the growth of a sensitive juvenile and his awakening to love, alongside contemporary issues of young caregivers and LGBTQ children, successfully making a strong impression. Director Samuel Theis is also known as an actor from the TV series “Drôle de famille!” in France, and his short film directed at the prestigious film school La Fémis, Forbach (08), won the runner-up at the Cannes Cinéfondation and the Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. His feature debut Party Girl (14), co-directed with Marie Amachoukeli and Claire Burger, won Cannes Un Certain Regard Ensemble Prize and the Camera d'Or. The film has fascinating cast members, including Antoine Reinartz, known for his superb performance as Thibault in BPM (Beats Per Minute) (17) and rock singer Izïa Higelin.