
An author returns to his hometown of Cognac for the first time in 35 years to help promote a distillery. Once there, he meets his first love’s son, Lucas. Memories come rushing back to him: irrepressible attraction, bodies becoming one in the heat of desire, a passion that can never be revealed… His first love’s name was Thomas. They were 17.
Release Date: 2/22/2023
Runtime: 98 minutes
Languages: English, French
Director: Olivier Peyon
Budget: $2.1M
Revenue: $0.6M
Companies: TS Productions
Countries: France
CinemaSerf
Writer Stéphane Belcourt (Guillaume de Tonquédoc) has been suffering from a bit of a creative block when he agrees to return to his childhood home to do a presentation for it's legendary cognac producer. Somewhat disinterested in the whole affair he is greeted by the effusive "Gaëlle" (an increasingly scene-stealing Guiliane Londez) who races around ferrying him from pillar to post in quite a frenetic fashion. Quite by chance, there are some visiting Americans at the vineyard and they are being guided by "Lucas" (Victor Belmondo). The latter man has a surname that triggers memories in the former and now we are taken on a parallel tracked story that illustrates forbidden (first) love from 1984, and offers a shot at redemption for both the younger and the older man. The story is gently paced and the acting - especially from Jérémy Gillet as the author in his younger years - is really quite potent. The story of bigotry and conformity - and the lifelong ramifications for all concerned of fear and shame is played out stylishly and set against a backdrop of conflicted history. A community that lives it's life largely as it makes it's luxury "elixir" - in a time honoured fashion - finds that perhaps the best from that time has now passed. As I watched, I couldn't help wonder just how many people actually lived their lives like this - stuck with an opportunity-free rural existence amongst a gene pool of relationships that was never going to satisfy those more creative, imaginative and , of course, gay who emerged! This is well worth a watch - and Belmondo is a dead ringer for his grand-father too!
Gaëlle Flamand

Guillaume de Tonquédec
Stéphane Belcourt

Victor Belmondo
Lucas Andrieu

Guilaine Londez
Gaëlle Flamand

Jéremy Gillet
Stéphane Belcourt (Young)

Julien de Saint Jean
Thomas Andrieu

Pierre-Alain Chapuis
Mr. Dejean

Cyril Couton
The Bookstore Owner
Marilou Gallais
Lucas' Grandmother
Doriane Chastanet
Nadine

Laurence Pierre
Ms. Dejean
Dominique Courait
Thierry
Julie Pépin Lehalleur
The Cellar Guide
1976