The Dreamers is a 2003 drama-romance film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, based on the novel The Holy Innocents by Gilbert Adair, who also wrote the screenplay. Set against the backdrop of the 1968 Paris student protests, the film explores the intersection of youthful pᴀssion, political rebellion, and personal idenтιтy. With stunning performances and beautiful cinematography, The Dreamers delves into the complexities of youth, desire, and the idea of revolution—both personal and societal.
The story centers on Matthew (played by Michael Pitt), an American student living in Paris who is drawn into the world of two French siblings, Isabelle (Eva Green) and Theo (Louis Garrel). The siblings live in a world of intellectual curiosity, artistic indulgence, and intense emotional bonds, detached from the realities of the outside world.
Matthew, initially an outsider, is slowly absorbed into their private universe, which is defined by an unspoken connection between the three of them. The film unfolds as Matthew becomes entangled in their lives, exploring themes of Sєxuality, politics, and the sense of idenтιтy that comes with youth.
One of the most striking elements of The Dreamers is its portrayal of youth as a time of exploration and self-discovery. Isabelle and Theo, despite their seemingly sophisticated and intellectual personas, are ultimately still children, exploring their own boundaries and desires.
Their relationship with each other, and with Matthew, becomes a metaphor for the emotional and Sєxual experimentation that is a natural part of growing up. The trio’s interactions are charged with both intellectual debates about cinema, art, and revolution, as well as deeply personal moments that push the boundaries of intimacy and desire.
