Paper Flags, French Film Festival, French Institute

Charlie (Noémie Merlant), a struggling artist, gets a shock when a knock the door of her small home reveals the face of elder brother Vincent (Guillaume Gouix), fresh out of prison.  He has nowhere else to go so she takes him in and tries to help him find a job and a future.   She is embarrassed by his presence and tells friends he's just an acquaintance, while he is struggling to adapt to a world that has change radically during his time inside.  The links between them are further complicated by their own relationships with their father, who has long since rejected Vincent as his son.  But Vincent is determined to go straight, and to be the elder brother Charlie needs.

A complex family drama raising issues of forgiveness and change.  Gouix is excellent, giving Vincent a depth and complexity that makes us sympathise with him even when he's acting like an idiot.  Well worth seeing.