Close (12A)
Directed by Lukas Dhont 
★★★★

Belgian film director Lukas Dhont follows up his haunting feature Girl with a coming of age story about childhood innocence lost, as the intense friendship between two boys is suddenly torn apart. It has been nominated for an Academy award.

Thirteen-year-old Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele) are best friends living in each other’s pockets. Remi’s mother (Emilie Dequenne) declares Leo to be her second son. He and Remi do everything together including sleeping side by side in the same bed.
 
However when they start high school and a girl asks Leo if they are a couple he denies it vehemently and begins to pull away from Remi. He neglects his former friend and hangs  out with other boys and takes up ice hockey. His actions leave Remi at a loss and have a devastating effect on both of them.