Synopsis
Pim lives in a run-down house in a dead-end street somewhere on the Flanders coast, together with his mother Yvette Bulteel. Life here smells of cold French fries, cheap cigarettes, vermouth and stale beer. As a kid, Pim dreams of a better life, imagining princesses and beauty queens. But when Pim turns sixteen, he begins dreaming of Gino, the handsome boy next door, instead.
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Cast
- Jelle FlorizoonePim
- Mathias VergelsGino
- Eva van der GuchtYvette
- Thomas CoumansZoltan
- Ben Van den HeuvelYoung Pim
- Nathan NaenenYoung Gino
- Nina Marie KortekaasSabrina
- Noor Ben TaouetYoung Sabrina
- Katelijne DamenMarcella
- MickeyMirza
- 80
Total Film
Drawing affecting performances from a fledgling cast, Defurne's film is a poignant snapshot of square-peg adolescent desire, vibrantly set against a colourful backdrop. - 75
San Francisco Chronicle
A pleasure to watch - a spot-on story about the agony and ecstasy of adolescent first love. - 70
The New York Times
Pim's withdrawn demeanor and inability to verbalize his emotions - the character is basically one big ache - make it more challenging than it should be to immerse ourselves in his journey. - 70
Village Voice
Director Bavo Defurne fills the frame with warm, bright color and the lovely austerity of the Belgian seaside, angling for a soulful, slightly hyperreal comedy rather than the pursuit of a political agenda or a boring awareness-raising endeavor. - 70
Los Angeles Times
Though not without its mini-heartbreaks and melancholic turns, North Sea Texas explores emergent sexuality and first love with a refreshing optimism. - 63
Slant Magazine
While the film succeeds in creating a beautiful setting and portends of things to come from Defurne, it ultimately fails to give life to its main character - and no tale of pent-up teenage frustration should be as subdued and pretty as this. - 60
Empire
Tender and touching, this gay coming-of-ages story is underpinned by a terrific, subtle turn from newcomer Florizoone. - 40
Time Out
There are a million coming-out stories in various naked cities, and filmmaker Bavo Defume's contribution to the genre initially differentiates itself with a vibrant, creatively campy color scheme. Once the visual touches fade away, however, there's nothing to stop the parade of clichés.