Falcon Lake

2022, Charlotte Le Bon, France/Canada

Bastien, a shy 13 year-old, encounters the assured and enigmatic Chloé as their two families spend summer at a lake. They bond as Chloé regales Bastien with ghost stories and local folklore, invites him to parties and slowly brings him out of his shell. 

The haunting and evocative photography capture perfectly the twin flames of genre cinema at the heart of Falcon Lake – the coming-of-age melodrama, and the gothic thriller. This is one film where the viewer can soak in its affecting and brilliantly-articulated sense of teen longing, in a setting that is more than slightly eerie and melancholy. For one Youtube reviewer, “Falcon Lake looks like its made by someone who loved 80s slashers but also had a subscription to Cahiers du Cinema. A hauntingly beautiful film.”

Many reviewers have commented on how skillfully director Le Bon has crafted this film – her debut feature – showing a deftness that belies the number of credits to her name. “It’s truly astounding that Falcon Lake is the work of a first-time feature director. Le Bon demonstrates a masterful understanding of shot composition and pacing that allows her to craft a haunting vibe without turning it into a gimmick.” Christian Zilko, IndieWire