Nino Directed by Pauline Loquès: A Must-Watch

On an unremarkable day in a typical Parisian hospital, Nino steps in to collect the results of his medical test. Instead of answers, he is met by a young doctor seated behind a computer, delivering the cold, routine news of his upcoming chemotherapy and radiation appointments. At just 28, Nino is blindsided by the diagnosis: throat cancer. He swallows the harsh verdict, grappling with its implications. Before he leaves, the doctor calls him back, handing him a small glass vial. It’s a stark reminder that if he wishes to have children in the future, he must deposit his sperm, as the chemotherapy will render him sterile. Thus begins Nino's journey into a new reality, one that he must navigate with a semblance of normality.

In a nearby café, Nino unexpectedly runs into an old schoolmate. In a moment of desperation, he lies, claiming he is expecting a child. The façade offers him a fleeting sense of control amidst the chaos. However, upon returning home, he realizes he has lost his keys, and the concierge is nowhere to be found. The camera closely follows his every move, capturing the essence of his daily life. It’s Friday, and coincidentally, it’s also his birthday. Nino, an introverted soul with a gentle smile, finds himself in a chaotic, impersonal Paris, where the Eiffel Tower looms distantly over a city filled with strangers. He visits his mother, aware that he cannot reveal his health condition to her; the audience becomes the sole keeper of his secret, forging an intimate connection with him.

Saturday arrives, and Nino attempts to return home, but once again the concierge is absent, and his keys remain lost. He seeks refuge at an old girlfriend’s place, then at his best friend's house, where a surprise party is being organized in his honour. Throughout these encounters, he maintains his secret, navigating the complexities of his relationships. The characters he interacts with are vividly authentic: his best friend, a single mother with a child who becomes a beacon of hope for him. Nino possesses a unique aura, reminiscent of Balzac's literary figures—yet he embodies a positivity that sets him apart. The director skilfully reveals the characters through their physicality: the petite single mother with large, childlike eyes, the friend with thick hair, and Nino himself, consistently clad in the same simple attire—a sweater, loose pants, and a green jacket, his hands often tucked into his pockets, his elongated neck and lost gaze conveying a deep sense of introspection.

Through his gait and gestures, we come to understand Nino. His movements exude a lightness that contrasts with the weight of his circumstances. This film is an elegant tapestry woven with philosophy and poetry, punctuated by glances, silences, and whispered words. The camera draws us in, creating an intimate proximity to Nino's experience. Amidst the isolation and individualism, casual encounters punctuate his life, revealing an ordinary character grappling with extraordinary challenges. It is a poignant exploration of mortality, capturing the melancholic yet sometimes cruel essence of Parisian life. Théodor Pellerin delivers an exceptional performance, infusing the character with profound humanity. The carefully curated soundtrack enhances the emotional landscape, guiding the viewer through the unfolding drama. Positioned as silent observers, we witness the ephemerality of existence, as the film evokes a powerful emotional response. This debut feature from French director Pauline Loquès, showcased at Cannes Critics' Week, emerges as a remarkable surprise. With a direct and sincere storytelling approach, coupled with impressive technical skill, Loquès crafts a beautiful and impactful cinematic experience—a hidden tragedy brought to life on screen.

An original way of making cinema, a tapestry of fixed and stark frames reveals itself, where precise geometries dance in harmonious embrace. Time stretches, each moment a portal to uncharted realms waiting to be discovered. Silences linger like suspended breaths in the air, punctuated by the whispers of the street, illuminated billboards cast a kaleidoscope of light, crafting a ballet of shadows that flicker and play in spaces alive with the pulse of existence. This filmmaking is a canvas of objectivity and grace, breathes with a dynamism that astonishes and enchants. A narrative that reveres the life's intricate fragility and glory.