Departure (2015)

A nuclear family unravels in the South of France.

Director:

Andrew Steggall

Writer:

Andrew Steggall

Stars:

Juliet Stevenson, Alex Lawther, Phénix Brossard

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Juliet Stevenson	...	Beatrice
Alex Lawther	...	Elliot
Phénix Brossard	...	Clément
Finbar Lynch	...	Philip
Niamh Cusack	...	Sally
Patrice Juiff	...	François
Guillaume Tobo	...	Butcher
Danièle Catala	...	Woman at the Market

Storyline

An English mother and teenage son spend a week in the South of France breaking up a summer home that has become one of the casualties of the boy's parents' crumbling marriage. Matters only become more complicated when an enigmatic local boy enters their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

male masturbation | gay crush | masturbation | gay | gay interest | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Company Website Official site

Country:

UK France

Language:

English French

Release Date:

20 May 2016 (UK)

Also Known As:

Ayrilis

Filming Locations:

Languedoc, France

Box Office

Budget:

$1,100,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Film Institute (BFI), Amaro Films, Motion Group Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When naming gay writers, Elliot says the name of Victor Hugo, adding that he had to wait for his mother to die to be with the person he loved, this is not true as Victor Hugo was well known for his love of women, especially prostitutes.

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Soundtracks

Catch the Wind
Written by Oliver Daldry
Performed by Oliver Daldry

User Reviews

Juliet Stevenson shines in this brilliant drama

This is a simple story that has so many layers that it becomes completely complex. Beatrice (Juliet Stevenson) is going through a marital crisis and she has brought her son – Elliot (Alex Lawther 'X and y') to help her pack up their idyllic summer home in rural France; it having become another victim to the relationships deterioration. Then Elliot sees a local lad swimming in the reservoir – which is strictly not allowed – and decides he has to get to know this boy better – a lot better.

This is Clement and he is a force of nature , all emotion and rough hewed charm and his arrival makes the simple act of closing down one part of their lives become more about opening up what – until then – had remained closed off in their lives.

This is beautifully filmed and acted to perfection. It is almost painfully honest in places and the raw emotions are both riveting and almost repulsive in equal measure. This is a film that seems to take its time but it really doesn't it is strong and measured and the characters seem completely real. The depth of the story is as complex as reality often is and strikes home all the more forcefully for it. In short this is an absolutely stunning film that is worth all the plaudits and more.