Review: 'My First Summer' a Tender, Intimate Queer Coming-of-Age Story

Coming-of-age films have a major presence in LGBTQ cinema, but we can never have enough stories about first queer love. "My First Summer" is a beautifully tender and ethereal queer coming-of-age film.

Written and directed by Katie Found - her feature-length directorial debut - the Australian film stars Markella Kavenagh as Claudia and Maiah Stewardson as Grace, two 16-year-old girls who share a deep connection.

After her mother dies, Claudia lives alone with her dog in a bucolic house. Claudia had been Isolated from the rest of the world her entire life, and has never left the boundaries of her yard and the nearby reservoir. Grace witnessed Claudia's mother's tragic death and checks on Claudia, whom she doesn't know, to make sure she's okay. Claudia worries about Grace visiting because if any adults know she's there, the authorities will take her away. Grace promises to keep Claudia's secret.

Claudia and Grace spend time together. Claudia is shy and smart; Grace is independent and boldly expresses herself. They drink strawberry milk and eat candy and marshmallows, all of which is new to Claudia. Because of her isolation, Claudia doesn't know many customs, including when Grace makes a pinky promise. Claudia creates a "purple promise": A solemn vow with index fingers. Grace teaches Claudia how she crafts bracelets and helps her redecorate her room, making a collage from celebrity photos. Claudia's world expands as she learns about the world and herself.

They both seek escape, Claudia from grief and loneliness, and Grace from her chaotic home life. They see each other in a way no one else ever has before, providing encouragement and solace. Claudia suffers traumatic - at times disorienting - flashbacks to her mom drowning. When Grace goes swimming, Claudia apprehensively and tentatively enters the water. Triggered, she has a panic attack. Grace holds Claudia, breathing together to calm and soothe.

Claudia reads Grace a poem about a "heart breaking through prison bars," metaphorically illustrating Claudia feeling liberated. They're affectionate with each other: Their feet touch, Grace washes Claudia's hair. The camera lingers on their hands throughout the film, like many films about queer women. In another scene, Grace has Claudia guess the flavor of lip gloss she wears by scent, with the two to them eventually kissing.

They confess their feelings. In bed together, they reveal they "don't know what to do," which is an on-screen rarity, especially in a scene of same-sex eros. Living in a heteronormative society, depictions of sex and affection between straight people inundate us. But we don't see enough filmic depictions of queer intimacy. Claudia suggests they "start by breathing together." They eat candy necklaces, reifying a vitally playful element. They laugh and kiss. The film lets us in to this exquisitely tender moment, which made me emotional to watch.

The gossamer film leisurely unfolds, evocative of a lazy summer day with no adults and no rules: Golden-soaked, sun-dappled cinematography fills scenes coupled with vibrant wildflowers and lush green trees swaying in peaceful breezes. Sunlight streams through a water hose's spray. It's a whimsical world that beckons one to linger, a dreamy confection of new love and discoveries. But it's also tinged with grief and the worry of the girls' idyllic paradise being discovered, as two detectives investigate the death of Claudia's mom.

"My First Summer" bewitchingly captures the excitement of meeting someone who upends your world, the freedom of discovery, and queer intimacy and connection. With sensitivity and respect, it delicately explores the girls' emotions and their bond. Kavenagh and Stewardson give captivating performances and share an effortless rapport.

"My First Summer" screens at aGLIFF.

This story is part of our special report: "aGLIFF 2021". Want to read more? Here's the full list.