After making a remarkable impression at festivals and receiving recognition at the 2026 César Awards, “Nino” is now making its way into living rooms. Pauline Loquès’ debut feature film is available starting March 21 on CINÉ+ OCS. This intimate and moving film is carried by the outstanding performance of Théodore Pellerin, who has managed to captivate both critics and audiences.
Since its first screenings, “Nino” has stood out as a unique work in French cinema. Awarded for the main actor’s performance, the film plunges viewers into a three-day time frame between a cancer diagnosis and the beginning of treatment. It is a tight, almost suspended narrative that avoids melodrama to focus on a sensitive and deeply human approach. This moving film, named “Best First Film” at the 2026 César Awards, is now available on CINÉ+ OCS.
A short but intensely engaging story
Pauline Loquès’ narrative choice is radical, focusing on telling the essential in a short amount of time. By following Nino through the streets of Paris, the film captures a turning point, where ordinary life breaks apart. This approach allows for a focus on raw emotions, silences, and encounters that punctuate these crucial three days.
The director claims an instinctive writing style, informed by personal painful experiences. Rather than aiming for absolute realism, she embraces a certain softness in representing illness. This is a way of staying true to a certain idea of cinema: suggesting rather than showing, eliciting emotion without resorting to sensationalism. Producer Sandra Da Fonceca speaks highly of it during an interview with the CNC.
Théodore Pellerin, a confirmed revelation
In the title role, Théodore Pellerin impresses with his accuracy. Already noted for the diversity of his roles, the Canadian actor finds a role that suits him here. His restrained interpretation adds an extra layer of depth to the film.
Almost chosen naturally by the director, as revealed in an interview with the CNC, he embodies a Nino who is both fragile and luminous. His presence on screen guides the viewer through this ordeal without being overly demonstrative. His performance was praised at the Critics’ Week and confirmed by his award at the César Awards for Best Male Newcomer.
After conquering international festivals and earning recognition at the 2026 César Awards, “Nino” embarks on a new life on the small screen. Its arrival on CINÉ+ OCS starting March 21 allows a wider audience to discover this delicate work.
Sources: CNC, CINÉ+ OCS
