Strange River

Sixteen-year-old Dídac (played magnetically by newcomer Jan Monter) is trapped on summer vacation with his family as they cycle through Germany and Austria, along the Danube. Wishing he was back home with friends instead of bickering with his two brothers, Dídac is soon captivated by the mysterious appearance of an enigmatic boy swimming in the river. Filled with yearning for this ethereal aquatic crush, Dídac’s burgeoning feelings begin to disrupt his relationship with his family. Inspired by Catalan director Jaume Claret Muxart’s own childhood vacations and shot beautifully on 16mm, Strange River is a sensual, queer coming-of-age story bursting with lyricism about the impermanence of youth and first love.