6. It Felt Like Love (2013)
It Felt Like Love is another case of a precocious teenager at odds with her surroundings. Excluding her short films, it is a great directorial debut. For a film about a young person still finding herself, it’s great that this movie is so confidently depicted.
Although Call Me By Your Name features a character in the same age bracket, there’s something that feels a lot more tragic about It Felt Like Love.
7. Young & Beautiful (2013)
Francois Ozon, best known for his film Swimming Pool (2003), pulled off a remarkable task with Young & Beautiful. The idea of depicting prostitution and the life of a “call girl” is a little played out at this point. When it appears in movies now, it’s often exploitative and there’s no real point to featuring it in a film other than making the film feel more gritty, or furthering a plot point easily.
However, in Ozon’s film we get a character that experiments and does things that are a mystery even to herself. She’s in the process of figuring her life out; it’s one of the most underrated characters to grace the screen in a long time. The director never insults the intelligence of the viewer by explaining exactly why the main character is making certain choices. The film feels like something that happens organically, rather than a contrived movie of the week.
8. À Nos Amours (1983)
Another European filmmaker on this list; Maurice Pialat was a great director that was brilliant at capturing characters in turmoil without falling into repeating things other filmmakers already explored.
This film differs from others on the list a little due to the fact that Luca Guadagnino has actually directly acknowledged it as a primary influence on his film.
9. Submarine (2010)
This is one of the better coming of age films of recent years. Like Call Me By Your Name, it’s also based on a book. The main character, Oliver Tate, is another boy who is wiser beyond his years (and peers), yet still struggling with what it means to become an adult. He goes through phases like so many young people do; experimenting with different identities, and unable to find happiness with any of them.
Submarine is more of a film set while school is still open, while Call Me By Your Name is about what happens during summer break. However, both films tread similar territory.
10. Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
So much about this film has already been said. It’s one of the most well known films in regards to its frank portrayal of teenagers growing up. It never shies away from showing the viewer youth at its best and worst.
It’s almost two decades old now, but it’s just as subversive as ever. It would also mark the first time Alfonso Cuarón would be acknowledged by the Oscars.