Tomboy

The story unfolds in contemporary Paris, reflecting modern attitudes toward gender expression. The setting emphasizes everyday life in a big city, where family dynamics and peer judgments shape a child’s sense of self. Events occur over a single summer, highlighting the urgency and fragility of early identity exploration.

Paris serves as the urban backdrop where Laure's family relocates to a close-knit apartment complex. The city streets and shared courtyards become the playground and social arena for childhood friendships and the exploration of gender. The compact, everyday environment amplifies how quickly peers notice and react to differences.

🎭 Gender Identity

Gender identity and presentation are central to the film. Laure's choice to be Mickaël shows how children test social boundaries by adopting a different gender role. The reactions from Lisa and the group reveal both curiosity and teasing, while her mother encourages femininity, highlighting how families shape identity. The story portrays gender as performative and situational, not fixed at a single moment.

🤝 Friendship

Friendship is forged across gendered expectations. Laure/Mickaël's bond with Lisa evolves from curiosity to trust, while the neighborhood boys test loyalty and acceptance. The relationships illustrate how support networks can both uplift and constrain a child who is exploring who they are.

🧭 Conformity

Conformity pressures surface from peers and adults. Laure's disguise creates a cycle of secrecy, fear of exposure, and the occasional public performance in front of friends. The mother's enforcement of traditional dress amplifies the tension between individual identity and social norms. The ending, when Laure reclaims her name, suggests resilience in negotiating identity within a conformist social environment.