Death of a Virgin and the Sin of Not Living

One morning Etienne has to lie to his mother so he can embark on a secret, forbidden trip with three friends. They have saved up to pay for a prostitute and are about to have sex for the first time. Although the young men have to travel for a while before they can meet the prostitute, there is no time to think about what they are going to do. Instead, they hide their nerves by bragging and joking around. They insult the people who cross their path and spare no one. Although most of their sneers are well-meant, the film reveals monologues about the characters’ worries through a voice-over. Not only are their inner fears and desires unveiled, we as viewers also find out what destiny has in store for them. Like this, we come to know more about the young men than they are willing to share with each other.

In his debut, the director deconstructs the global myth of a male rite of passage. With compassion and originality he portrays the inner life of young men and the vulnerability of life in all its beauty and sadness. An impressive camera follows the characters in this coming-of-age meets road movie and a clever montage quickens the pace, interrupted sometimes by moments of reflection. Honest, delightful cinema.