Being 17 2016

Smart and sensitive, Damien is a seventeen-year-old student living with his mother, Marianne, a dedicated doctor. His father, Nathan, is a military pilot currently stationed abroad. Together, they enjoy a comfortable life in a serene small town nestled in the mountains of the Hautes-Pyrénées.

At school, Damien, an outsider, finds himself mercilessly picked on by Thomas, a classmate who trips him during class for no clear reason. This incident sparks a series of ongoing altercations between the two, both on the sports field and in the schoolyard, with neither being favored for sports teams. To defend himself, Damien begins taking self-defense classes from Paulo, an ex-military family friend.

Meanwhile, Thomas, the biracial adopted son of a couple who run a sheep and cattle farm, grapples with his own challenges. Every day, he endures a grueling 90-minute journey by foot and bus to reach school. When Marianne makes a house visit to treat Thomas’s mother, Christine, who suffers from a pulmonary infection, it becomes evident that family dynamics are complex. Christine, who has endured several miscarriages, is pregnant and requires hospitalization. As Thomas worries about his mother and the anticipated arrival of a biological sibling, his school performance begins to falter.

To help him, Marianne offers Thomas a place to stay with them, allowing him to visit Christine at the hospital more conveniently and focus on his studies without the exhausting commute. This arrangement occurs just as Nathan returns home for a break from his tour of duty. He receives a warm welcome from his family and extends his hospitality to Thomas, who is initially reluctant but eventually agrees under pressure from his parents.

Despite sharing a home, the relationship between Damien and Thomas remains tense. Damien harbors jealousy towards Thomas, feeling overshadowed by the attention his mother gives to him. Accusations fly as Damien suggests that Thomas is feigning illness just to receive medical attention from Marianne. Their rivalry leads them to the mountains, where a sudden downpour interrupts a confrontation, forcing them to take shelter and share a cigarette. Amidst the rain, Thomas proposes a swim at a mountain lake, and in a moment of vulnerability, strips naked, leaving Damien in awe.

Days later, Damien, emboldened by curiosity, asks Thomas to accompany him to meet a man he found online for a sexual experiment. When confronted with an advance from the man, Damien withdraws. On their return journey, Damien reveals his feelings for Thomas, stating, > “I need to know if I’m into guys or just you.” However, Thomas is taken aback by this revelation and after a heated exchange, exits the car at the riverbank, where a scuffle ensues, resulting in Thomas breaking his wrist.

As tensions escalate, Marianne realizes she must ask Thomas to return home. After several days, Thomas arrives late to Spanish class, and for the first time, exchanges a smile with Damien. Encouraged by this connection, Damien takes the leap and kisses Thomas. Initially receptive, Thomas soon pushes Damien away and hits him when followed, leading to his expulsion from school. In the aftermath, Damien confides in Marianne about the incident, and she remains sympathetic to his feelings.

Tragedy strikes when Nathan’s mission leads to his death, leaving both Marianne and Damien devastated. During the funeral, Thomas offers comfort to Damien in a heartfelt embrace. As Marianne sinks into despair, Thomas moves back in to support them both, spending time with her while Damien is at school. Their bond deepens as they collaborate on a project exploring desire. Once Marianne finds the strength to resume work, Thomas prepares to return to his farm.

One night, after a moment of intimacy, Thomas leaves before Damien wakes. Mulling over the previous events, Damien visits Thomas’s farm to discuss what happened, but Thomas remains hesitant, insisting “not here” whenever Damien attempts to kiss him. As time passes, panic stirs within Thomas when he fears he could bring ill fortune during his foster mother’s upcoming labor. Seeking solace, he knocks on Damien’s door, asking him to stay during this time.

The two accompany Marianne to the joyous arrival of a new family member. Reflecting on their changing dynamic, Marianne makes a pivotal decision to move to Lyon for a job, allowing for Thomas to visit Damien. She encourages her son to have more faith in himself and embrace life. In a heartwarming finale, Thomas eagerly descends the slope to reunite with Damien, culminating in a tender kiss that signifies hope and connection.