Nino

On the eve of his 29th birthday, Nino is blindsided by a devastating diagnosis. Told he must begin aggressive treatment within days, and bank his sperm if he hopes to start a family, a life of delayed decisions and casual commitments suddenly becomes urgent. To complicate matters, Nino has once again lost his apartment keys, forcing him into a reflective walkabout of sorts that depends on the goodwill of intimates from his past.

Pauline Loquès’ debut feature explores this moment of upheaval with quiet sensitivity and gentle humour. Instead of leaning into sentimentality, NINO observes the quotidian: small talk with old friends, a brief reconnection with an ex, and a touching moment with his mother, who mistakes his silence for something else entirely. Nino finds it hard to unburden himself to those around him, but the weight of his reality is deeply felt and externalized onto the city of Paris through cinematography that emphasizes its capacity to alienate. The film finds poetic stillness amid the urban bustle. – Robyn Citizen, TIFF

ONE SHOW ONLY! Wednesday, March 18 @ 8PM in Avalon 1

NINO is part of Young French Cinema, a program of Unifrance and Villa Albertine.