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In Nancy, situated in eastern France, 15-year-old Sophie (Céleste Brunnquell) yearns to break free from her dysfunctional family. After one argument too many, she seizes an opportunity and takes the spare keys to her affluent friend Jade’s house. While enjoying the spacious home she thought was empty for summer, she bumps into her friend's older brother Stéphane (Quentin Dolmaire). He, as fate would have it, was also planning on staying. Rather than insisting she leave, Stéphane lets her into the house and his life. Loosely autobiographical, Spare Keys is a tender coming-of-age story about a summer that changes both Sophie and Stéphane.
“A success.”—Biba
“Jeanne Aslan and Paul Saintillan compose a poetic tale, infused with ephemeral moments and melancholy. It is undoubtedly one of those films that one never tires of watching.”—Culturopoing.com
“Halfway between social drama and summer tale, ‘Spare Keys’ is largely driven by its two excellent lead performers, making it a very charming and nuanced comedy.”—GQ
“In their first joint directorial venture, Jeanne Aslan and Paul Saintillan follow the emancipation of a teenager from a working-class neighborhood in Nancy, portrayed by the radiant Céleste Brunnquell, attempting to escape a dysfunctional family.”—L’Humanité
“Céleste Brunnquell seems to inhabit her character effortlessly, confirming her potential after being nominated for the 2020 César Award for Best Female Newcomer for her role in Les Éblouis.”—Le Dauphiné Libéré
“A beautiful film, alternately as serious as a dream and as cheerful as a lullaby, Spare Keys unfolds in the leisurely time of summer, depicting a privileged relationship between two statuesque and lonely souls, stranded between the ping-pong table and the terrace smoke.”—Les Fiches du Cinéma
“Spare Keys, a film unbounded by constraints, finds its proper rhythm in the midst of a sunny and somewhat naive tone reminiscent of a fairy tale and comics. Céleste Brunnquell, an astonishing actress of anti-mastery, brilliantly humble, imparts flexibility and nuances to everything she touches.”—Les Inrockuptibles
“A story of two loners who tame each other and a gentle portrait of an adolescent, Jeanne Aslan and Paul Saintillan’s film finds its unique voice by avoiding expected scenes and passages.”—Libération
“A delicate and Rohmeresque debut film, featuring the dazzling Céleste Brunnquell.”—Télérama
"Transcends the typical coming-of-age film...a genuine portrayal of young life, free from the trappings of cliché, enhanced by solid direction, a powerful script, and gorgeous scenery." —Overly Honest Movie Reviews
Citation
Main credits
Aslan, Jeanne (film director)
Aslan, Jeanne (screenwriter)
Saintillan, Paul (film director)
Saintillan, Paul (screenwriter)
Brunnquell, Céleste (actor)
Dolmaire, Quentin (actor)
Mons, Chloé (actor)
Delahousse, Antoine (film producer)
Jaeger, Thomas (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematography, Alan Guichaoua; editing, Aymeric Schoens; music, Côme Aguiar.
