Tomboy (2011)

Drama

Director: Céline Sciamma
Writer: Céline Sciamma
Starring: Zoé Héran, Malonn Lévana, Jeanne Disson, Sophie Cattani

"There's a new kid in town."

A French slice-of-life that explores gender ambiguity at a young age.

After recently moving to a new apartment block in Paris, Laure, a 10-year-old girl with gender confusion issues, decides to reinvent herself as a boy. She introduces herself as Mikäel to a local girl named Lisa whom she becomes good friends with. Just when the neighborhood boys accept him as one of their own, and his sister learns and accepts that he’s been presenting himself as a boy, his mom finds out and problems arrive.

Young actress Zoé Héran, with her androgynous appearance, offers an unforgettable performance in this often overlooked gem that unfolds in a very unaffected and natural manner, and uniquely explores the barriers between gender at a very young age and the creation of an identity unlike anyone else.

Plot summary from IMDb: A family moves into a new neighborhood, and a 10-year-old named Laure deliberately presents as a boy named Mikhael to the neighborhood children.

Awards: 7 wins & 5 nominations.
Runtime: 82 min
NOT R