Fake Tattoos (Les faux tatouages), Vue Omni, Edinburgh International Film Festival

It's Theo's 18th birthday and he's out to a punk gig.  On his own.  In a cafe after the show he's approached by the extrovert Mag, who admires his fake tattoos, even more so when she finds out they're his own handiwork.  Despite Theo's initial reticence, and their very different personalities, they find a common bond and become lovers.  Theo warns Mag that he's going to be moving away from Montreal in less than a month, to live with his sister who's four hours drive away.  The reasons for his move are never made clear, and Theo is never going to say, but there are hints that allow the viewer to build their own backstory, and glimpse why he might find himself alone for his milestone birthday.

Theo is a talented artist, hoping to work on tattoos one day.  Mag works with children, helping build their confidence, and does much the same for her new man.  It's a beautifully observed relationship, full of awkwardness, misunderstandings, tenderness and emotional connection, and director Pascal Plante has a fine eye for the details and nuances of teenage romance.  His leads, Anthony Therrien as Theo and Rose-Marie Perreault as Mag, give very natural performances, and get plenty screen time to build up the chemistry, and to show how they have very differing relationships with their mothers and sisters.  Although the relationship is brief, it makes a clear mark upon both.

Sweet, tender, very real, Fake Tattoos doesn't build up the drama, but paints a picture of youth, love and regret.  It's lovely.