Matthias et Maxime
Two childhood best friends are asked to share a kiss for the purposes of a student short film. Soon, a lingering doubt sets in, confronting both men with their preferences.
After two star-studded international productions (IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD and THE DEATH AND LIFE OF JOHN F. DONOVAN), Xavier Dolan returns to familiar ground: his hometown of Montreal and its environs. Thematically, this film elaborates and expands on subjects that Dolan explored in his last two films: specifically, how non-normative sexuality still carries a stigma, even though we often convince ourselves that we live in a more ‘enlightened’ society.
MATTHIAS ET MAXIME centres on a group of long-time friends whose relationships with each other transcend class, ethnic background, and sexual preference. The film opens with a weekend get-together at the cottage of the wealthy Rivette, and introduces us to Matthias, who is in a long-term relationship with Sarah, and Maxime, who has been planning to leave for New Zealand, fleeing from the ailing, abusive, and addictive mother whom he’s been looking after alone for far too many years. Cajoled into appearing in a short film being shot by Rivette’s annoying, film-student sister, Matthias and Maxime share their first kiss – and a sudden, startled questioning of their own sexual identities. (source: www.tiff.net)