You probably heard of Poitiers before, right? A city somewhere in the West of France, approximately on the same hight as Geneva. In the short named after the city we see parts of its medieval heart and parks. Why not spend a weekend there somewhen soon… But what is this film about?

Essentially it’s the story of 18-year-old Victor, a “lycéen” (high school student) who’s parents die in a car accident – suicide seems to be the most probable cause. Overnight Victor thus becomes an orphan and is now looked after by his godfather Michel, a man he doesn’t really know, who lives in a castle with his daughter Caroline. From the beginning on the atmosphere in the castle seems strange. When asked what he likes for breakfast, Victor says “just cold milk and orange juice if there is any”. And that’s what he gets.

During the film Victor, who fancies Caroline and ejaculates sniffing her underwear, tries to sleep with his school buddy, who is obviously in love with him, but doesn’t get hard and stops the intercourse. The sexual tension in the castle is not only tangible between him and Caroline but also between him and Michel, who is caught ejaculating in Victor’s morning milk… as though this wasn’t enough he seems to have had some bromance or gay liaison with Victor’s dad whilst they were in the army.

Basically «Poitiers» is a Coming of Age story with a dramatic event: the death of Victor’s parents. It’s about getting to know oneself and coping with a traumatic experience whilst discovering one’s own sexuality. Despite the interesting topic and “genre” this short film is very old-fashioned. The narrator reminds me of some movies from the 60ies and the bourgeois setting is kind of repulsive. At least the social worker in her menopause made me laugh when she advises Victor to always choose money over education. The film is very artistic but didn’t really blew me away. It’s worth a screening though!