A Leading Actress in Today’s New LGBTQ+ Storytelling

In Les Enfants vont bien, Camille Cottin portrays a recently separated lesbian woman who suddenly finds herself responsible for her nephew and niece. It’s a nuanced and heartfelt performance that marks a continued collaboration with young filmmaker Nathan Ambrosioni. Following their previous project, Toni, en famille—where Cottin played an overwhelmed single mom—this film presents a shift in tone while maintaining emotional depth. Here, she plays a woman in the midst of personal reconstruction, navigating unexpected responsibilities in a story where homosexuality is part of the character’s identity but not the central dramatic conflict.

A Strong Bond with Director Nathan Ambrosioni

Cottin and Ambrosioni have clearly developed a creative synergy. At just 26, the director returns to work with the actress after their critically acclaimed Toni, en famille. Their partnership is built on trust and a shared vision rooted in emotional authenticity and the exploration of human relationships. “Camille is incredibly instinctive—she immediately understands where I want to go,” Ambrosioni reveals. In this new film, he offers her a role that is both intimate and quietly political, grounded in a realistic family setting.

A Lesbian Lead, Without the Stereotypes

Camille Cottin’s character in Les Enfants vont bien is openly lesbian, yet her sexuality is neither dramatized nor central to the conflict. This intentional choice by Ambrosioni avoids familiar tropes. “If someone tells me her being with women complicates things, that only proves why it’s essential she’s a lesbian. It’s a political choice,” he explains. This approach allows LGBTQ+ characters to take part in storytelling that goes beyond narratives of rejection or identity struggle, offering a fresh and inclusive perspective.

Above All, a Story About Family

True to Ambrosioni’s ongoing themes, this film continues his deep dive into the complexities of family bonds. From his debut feature Les Drapeaux de papier—completed at just 19 years old—to Toni, en famille, his work consistently asks what it means to belong. In Les Enfants vont bien, the role of caregiver falls not to a parent, but an aunt forced into the position by unexpected circumstances. Through emotional upheaval and the search for new stability, the film explores themes of responsibility, generational connection, and the unchosen but enduring ties that define family.

Camille Cottin: A Key Voice in 2025’s Queer Cinema

With this latest performance, Camille Cottin cements her status as a vital force in bold, inclusive storytelling. Her character joins a growing wave of lesbian protagonists who are defined by their complexity, not solely by their sexual orientation—similar to roles seen in Des preuves d’amour by Alice Douard or Love Me Tender by Anna Cazenave Cambet. Ambrosioni applauds this evolution in representation: “Queer characters deserve stories beyond pain, illness, or rejection. It’s time they experience the narratives we’ve long reserved for straight characters.”

A Subtle and Emotional Performance

Cottin delivers a restrained yet powerful portrayal in Les Enfants vont bien. With sensitivity and grace, she brings to life a woman wounded, yet resilient—someone forced to reconnect with herself and those around her. The role, infused with warmth, humor, and emotional nuance, showcases the depth of the actress’s talent while highlighting the growing maturity and vision of a young filmmaker on the rise.

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