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Young Hearts

2024 [DUTCH]

Drama / Family / Romance

15
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 100% · 17 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 97% · 100 ratings
IMDb Rating 7.9/10 10 5623 5.6K

coming out friendship sexuality identity crisis affectation male friendship

Plot summary

14-year-old Elias increasingly feels like an outsider in his village. When he meets his new neighbour of the same age, Alexander, Elias is confronted with his burgeoning sexuality.

Director

Anthony Schatteman Photo
Anthony Schatteman

Top cast

Marius De Saeger Photo
Marius De Saeger as Alexander
Lou Goossens Photo
Lou Goossens as Elias
Denise Bogers Photo
Denise Bogers as Pester
Olivier Englebert Photo
Olivier Englebert as Marc
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
916.22 MB
1280*692
Dutch 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 39 min
Seeds 32
1.84 GB
1920*1038
Dutch 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 39 min
Seeds 58
914.73 MB
1280*690
Dutch 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 39 min
Seeds 31
1.84 GB
1920*1034
Dutch 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 39 min
Seeds 81

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by psycho_1010 9 / 10

Excellent, loveably movie

Expectations were high for this film - and man, wow, not only did it deliver, but it delivered in style!Beautiful cinematography, enjoyable music, adorable story that the viewer (especially ppl among the LMBTQ community) could identify with.The struggles of the boy (Elias) were depicted masterfully, and the happy ending was excellent - good to see a movie that puts more emphasis on the positive side of the topic.However, this is my only critics to the film (that's why it's 'only' 10/9) - that I found it overly optimistic. Real life, unfortunatelly, is not like this.A little bit more screentime could have been devoted to some drama about bullying, or refusal, because let's face it, there are always haters in real life.Yes, there were minor hints about this in the film here and there, but a few more scenes should have been put into it about the negative sides. This could have made Elias's fears more understandable. In the end, it created an almost dream-like scenario.However, this is a minor issue. One that doesn't really snaps you out of the immersion at all.(I just felt like I have to explain the 9 stars)We have to also talk about how excellent the cast were! The actors played their role wonderfully - even the young ones, so hats off really.Now stop wasting your time by reading my review, go and watch it instead!
Reviewed by BeneCumb 9 / 10

Pleasant and warm film "appropriate" for adults as well

Young Hearts is a beautiful and emotional film about first love. The film follows the journey of Elias, a 14-year-old boy who lives in a quiet village in Belgium, his self-discovery, confusion, and love. What makes the Series special is how real and gentle everything feels. The story has no big drama or shocking twists, but focuses on small, honest moments-looks, touches, and conversations. The emotions feel true and familiar and there is neither sexualisation of minors nor robust entering into the adult world.Lou Goossens, who plays Elias, gives an amazing performance. He shows so much emotion just through his eyes and face. His acting feels completely natural, and it is easy to understand what Elias is feeling. Marius De Saeger as Alexander is his more experienced partner who is a deserved mate to him - through different ups and downs. The music and the soft, warm camera work also help create a peaceful and loving mood throughout the film.True, one might say the film is a bit too hopeful or doesn't show enough of the hard parts of coming out, but Belgium is one of the countries where being gay has been more or less tolerated for decades. It is refreshing to see a story that focuses on the beauty of young love without making it too dramatic or tragic.In short, Young Hearts is a sweet, sensitive, and important film. It shows that love-especially first love-can be something magical. 9 points from me as I am not in the target audience - but I liked it a lot.
Reviewed by jasoniswaleno 9 / 10

Well told

I appreciate the way this story is told. It's also nice to see a good coming of age film that doesn't sexualize the characters. All their interactions are relatable. I love the confusion Elias has discovering who he is.The thing I think I love the most about this film is how almost all of it is in the characters facial expressions. Great directing and acting there, especially by Goossens. Both the boys did a great job and all their interactions seem so genuine. It's refreshing to see people telling a realistic story that deals with actual things people go through. In that way, I can't help but compare this film with Close. Very glad I got the opportunity to watch it and I highly recommend it. I'll be keeping my eye on these young actors and I can't wait to see how they progress. I'll also be looking forward to what Schatteman does in the future.
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