The Dreamers

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In the spring of 1968, Paris awakens with a spirit of social and political renewal. Théo, his twin sister Isabelle, and their American friend Matthew seek refuge from the outside world in the Cinémathèque Française, immersing themselves in the magic of cinema. Night after night, they sit in the front row, indulging their obsession with films. However, their routine is abruptly disrupted when the French government orders the closure of the Cinémathèque, forcing them into a self-created, insular universe filled with private games, humiliations, and sexual explorations. As they shed their inhibitions and delve deeper into their own world, their escapism is tragically interrupted when the realities of the outside world invade their sanctuary. This exploration of a complex triangular relationship, marked by its perverse eroticism yet retaining a sense of purity, showcases brilliant narrative invention and striking imagery. The Dreamers, now a major film by Bernardo Bertolucci, draws inspiration from the romantic French tradition of Les Enfants Terribles and Le Grand Meaulnes, presenting a unique perspective in contemporary British fiction.