Movies by Antoine Besse

Antoine Besse is a French filmmaker whose visually striking and emotionally resonant work has earned him acclaim on the international film festival circuit. With a distinct style that blends gritty realism with poetic flourishes, Besse's films often explore the lives of marginalized youth and the complexities of modern urban existence. One of Besse's most acclaimed works is the 2019 short film "404," a lyrical portrait of a young man adrift in the digital age. Through its innovative use of camerawork and sound design, the film immerses the viewer in its protagonist's fragmented inner world, capturing the alienation and longing that can arise in an increasingly interconnected but disconnected society. Besse's ability to find the universal in the specific is also on full display in his 2014 feature "Le skate moderne," a coming-of-age drama that uses the sport of skateboarding as a lens to explore themes of identity, masculinity, and the search for belonging. More recently, Besse's 2025 film "Ollie" has solidified his reputation as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary French cinema. A visually stunning and emotionally gripping drama, "Ollie" follows the story of a young skateboarder navigating the challenges of family, friendship, and personal growth, all set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Parisian landscape. With its nuanced character work and its unflinching yet empathetic gaze, the film showcases Besse's talent for crafting complex, richly layered narratives that linger long in the memory.