Louise Courvoisier’s debut feature is a charming, warm-hearted coming-of-age film, grounded in the land and people of the Jura region of France. In his late teens, Totone (portrayed by Clément Faveau in his screen debut) leads a carefree life, hanging out with his friends, drinking, and occasionally hooking up. He’s spontaneous and impulsive, good-looking enough to catch the eye of a young woman, but not able to achieve a relationship.
Totone (short for Anthony) spends most of his time drinking with his friends Francis (Dimitri Baudry) and Jean-Yves (Mathis Bernard). But his father’s sudden death leaves him as sole guardian for his 5-year-old sister Claire (Luna Garret). There’s no discussion of emotions, it’s a culture where actions not only speak louder than words, but in their stead. Totone steps up and takes responsibility for Claire, yet it is obvious that he is ill-prepared for the task. He must also now find a way to support them both financially.
Initially Totone remains an impulsive kid at heart. His attempts to take on a steady job and get his sister to school on time are filled with missteps. His father’s friend Serge helps him get a job at a dairy where they make award-winning Comté cheese, a specialty of the Jura region. Realizing that making an award-winning cheese could be the financial rescue he desperately needs, Totone overcomes his general genial tendency to aimlessness to take on a goal, but it’s a lot closer to a daydream than a realistic aim. In his carelessly handsome way, he easily makes the acquaintance of the boss’s daughter, Marie-Lise (Maïwene Barthelemy). As a young woman running her own farm, working from 5am to 10pm, she can teach Totone a thing or two.
Totone goes for it with all his youthful energy, few moral qualms, and a lot of help from his friends. Not much needs to be said, it’s simply understood that Francis and Jean-Yves are by his side to do whatever needs to be done. Claire is a lot more tolerant, helpful and mature than one would expect from such a young child, but that is perhaps the result of growing up alongside Totone. Luna Garret is simply wonderful as Claire, ever wise, yet very much a young child. Clément Faveau captures the charisma and impulsiveness of Totone as he struggles into maturity. Cinematographer Elio Balezeaux expresses the natural beauty of the region, as well as the hard work of its people.
Director: Louise Courvoisier; Screenplay: Louise Courvoisier, Théo Abadie; Cinematography: Elio Balezeaux; Music: Linda Courvoisier, Charles Courvoisier; Editor: Sarah Grosset; Cast: Clément Faveau, Maïwene Barthelemy, Luna Garret, Mathis Bernard, Dimitry Baudry, Armand Sancey Richard, Lucas Marillier.
