Tomboy

In a sun‑drenched arrondissement of Paris, a family settles into a modest apartment block, its narrow courtyards and humming streets forming a close‑knit playground for the children who live there. The neighborhood pulses with the chatter of games, the clatter of bicycle wheels, and the easy camaraderie of kids who have known each other for years. Into this world arrives Laure, a spirited ten‑year‑old whose curiosity is matched only by her longing to be part of the bustling life beyond her window.

Seeking a place among the boys who dominate the street games, Laure invents a new name—Mikaël—and dons a demeanor that lets her slip into the group’s rhythm. This delicate masquerade grants her a fleeting sense of freedom: the thrill of sprinting after a ball, the quiet pride of being accepted, and the subtle, growing bond with the group’s confident leader, Lisa. Through this invented identity, Laure discovers both the exhilaration of fitting in and the quiet tension of keeping a secret.

At home, Jeanne, her six‑year‑old sister, watches the unfolding act with a mixture of awe and protectiveness, while their mother balances encouragement with a gentle reminder of the child Laure truly is. The household becomes a quiet stage where loyalty, love, and the desire for authenticity intersect, each family member offering support in their own way as Laure navigates the thin line between two selves.

The film moves with a warm, observant tone, blending the gentle humor of everyday childhood rituals with the deeper, sometimes bittersweet questions of identity and belonging. It paints a portrait of a summer where friendships are forged, masks are tested, and a young heart seeks a bridge between who she is and who she wishes to become, leaving the audience lingering on the delicate balance between freedom and truth.

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 13:30