Alban lives in a ski resort with his mother. Each night, the teenager slips away to meet up with Julien – this boy who curiously has the same name as the hero of the novel Alban is devouring.
Cinematography
Snow-lit night scenes that make secrecy look beautiful.
Acting
Paulin Jaccoud's watchful silence says everything.

Director
Simon Guélat
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The dual Julien device mirrors how queer adolescents often navigate desire through literature before real life—books as safe rehearsal spaces.
Director Simon Guélat shot this in his hometown Swiss ski resort, using actual local teenagers who'd never acted before.