About

After her family moves to an outer suburb of Paris, ten-year-old Laure (Zoé Héran) takes the opportunity explores her identity by becoming ‘Mickäel’.

The second instalment in Céline Sciamma’s coming-of-age trilogy (that includes Water Lilies 2007 and Girlhood 2014), Tomboy 2011 is an innocent and playful exploration of gender performance during the final moments of childhood. As both writer and director, Sciamma combines complex character interactions with distinct camera framing and motion to draw us into Laure’s world.

As we witness Laure rehearsing male gestures in front of her bedroom mirror, it becomes apparent that each child is rehearsing a role to prepare them for their transition into adulthood. The intricate array of pre-pubescent emotions are honestly conveyed by the young cast and are delivered in a tender and innocent way that creates space to reflect upon what it means to connect with our true identities.