CLOSE is an elegant, poetic and empathetic study of youth from acclaimed writer-director Lukas Dhont. Thirteen-year-olds Léo and Rémi are inseparable; they spend every waking moment together, racing each other on their bikes, playing in the fields that surround their homes, and sleeping at each other’s houses. They are best friends, as close as brothers. However, as they start a new school year, the pressures of burgeoning adolescence challenge their bond with unexpected and far-reaching consequences. With incredibly authentic and emotional performances from newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele, Dhont’s latest film is as evocative as it is visually stunning, set against the rich landscape of the Belgian countryside. A powerful coming of age story, this profoundly moving portrait of male friendship offers a depiction of intimacy and masculinity that is sure to have an enduring impact.