Synopsis
Belgium, nowadays.
Joe, 17, is about to be released from a youth detention center. Should the judge approve his liberation, he will be allowed to live on his own. But when a new detainee arrives in his facility, Joe starts to question his desire for freedom.
Theatrical release
May 10, 2023
Partners
RTBF (Télévision belge), VOO-BE TV, Proximus, Centre du cinéma et de l'audiovisuel de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Eurimages, Fonds audiovisuel de Flandre (VAF), Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, programme Europe Créative MEDIA de l'Union Européenne, Shelter Prod, Tax Shelter.be et ING, Tax Shelter du Gouvernement fédéral de Belgique, CNC, Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, CICLIC-Région Centre-Val de Loire, Ciné+, Indie Sales, Rezo Films, O'Brother Distribution
Awards
Audience Award at Mons Love Film Festival (Belgium)
Cannes' Cinéfondation Résidence 2017
Junior Sopadin Prize for Best Script : Special Jury Prize 2017
Audience Award at La Ciotat FF 2023
Grand Prize at 38th Lovers Film Festival
Technical film summary
Directed by: Zeno Graton
Written by: Zeno Graton & Clara Bourreau
Original soundtrack: Bachar Mar-Khalifé
Producers : Valérie Bournonville & Joseph Rouschop - TARANTULA (Belgium) // Priscilla Bertin & Judith Nora - SILEX FILMS // Hans Everaert - MENUETTO FILM (Belgium)
Theatrical distribution France: Rezo Films
Theatrical distribution Benelux: O'Brother
International sales: Indie Sales
International title : The Lost Boys
Casting
Khalil GHARBIA
Julien De SAINT JEAN
Eye HAÏDARA
Jonathan COUZINIÉ
Samuel DI NAPOLI
Amine HAMIDOU
Nlandu LUBANSU
Matéo BASTIEN
Terry NGOGA
Festival selections
Berlinale 2023 (Generation 14Plus)
Toronto TIFF 2023 (Next Wave)
Mons Love FF 2023 - Belgium
Alès Itinérances 2023
Festival In&Out Nice 2023
Pink Apple Queer FF Zurich 2023 - Switzerland
Nominated for OUT d'or 2023
2023 Valencia International Film Festival Cinema Jove
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Ciclo Rosa - Cinémateca de Bogota
Mix Film Fest Mexico
15th Youth Sarajevo Film Festival
Pink Apple FilmFestival
Press review
Cineuropa, février 2023
“The film carries with it a quiet power and is propelled by moving performances and observant camerawork that captures moments of subtle intimacy and unspoken love. Exploring masculinity, found family, freedom, and relationships that are just as complex and layered as the characters themselves, The Lost Boys is a deeply personal portrayal that transfixes you from start to finish. It will send chills down your spine and leave you questioning not only the power systems that inform our society, but the very notion of what it means to be free.” Honora Murphy, TIFF Next Wave Committee
“This debut feature charts the twists and turns of a passion between two young men who thought their lives had been put on hold and offers an uncompromising vision of love: behind these walls, passion comes first, and liberty only a distant second.” Berlinale Generation 14Plus