Matthias et Maxime

It was just pretend. Acting. During a party Matthias and Maxime are recruited to act in a short art film for one of their friend's younger sisters – an exercise for film school. Only after they agree do they find out they have to kiss.

Pretending elicits unexpected, deep emotions that these people in their late twenties, looking for their place in the world, don't know what to do with. Matthias doubts his choice of a serious job and a stable relationship, whilst Maxime (played by director Xavier Dolan) has thrown himself into leaving for Australia, the standard route for those in search of themselves.

Just after his 30th birthday, Dolan finished what is already his eighth feature film, Matthias et Maxime. The 'crown prince of Cannes' seemed to have fallen from favour after a few less-well-received films, but gets magnificent revenge with this portrait of twenty-something friendships and thirty-something dilemmas.