Sunset in Paris (Sketches of IUS II)

An innocent game of “truth or dare” turns into a mirror of fears,

desires, and revelations that will shape a journey of self-discovery.

Technical details | Sunset in Paris | Short Film

Original title: Atardecer en París (Apuntes de IUS II)
International title: Sunset in Paris (Sketches of IUS II)
Directed by: Roberto F. Canuto, Xu Xiaoxi
Written and produced by: Roberto F. Canuto
Cinematography: Xiaoxi Xu
Cast: Pelayo Carrizo, Paula Lasheras
 Spain  2024  10’  color

 Spanish  English, Spanish

 drama, fiction  LGBTIQ+, coming-of-age

 DCP · 4K DCI · 1.90:1
SYNOPSIS

During a peaceful afternoon in the mountains, two friends—a boy and a girl—play “Truth or Dare.” As they exchange challenges and confidences, they are drawn into a growing spiral of intimate emotions, where memories, desires, and barely articulated fears begin to surface.

Conversations about past relationships and future dreams—such as the possibility of a new life that could begin or end in Paris—bring buried ghosts and unspoken desires to light. The boy begins to confront not only his own past, but also an unexpected attraction to both men and women, while the girl opens up about her own vulnerabilities.

The longings and uncertainties of youth push them into an unexpected emotional challenge, marked by ambiguity, self-discovery, and the sincere acceptance of their own feelings.

COMMENTARY

Sunset in Paris (Sketches of IUS II) is a piece conceived as a creative exercise preceding the short film IUS of Time. Through improvisation and the observation of subtle gestures, the directors explore Luca’s emotional universe as he gradually becomes aware of his desire and emotional identity.

Far from rigid labels, the film offers a sensitive portrayal of emotional awakening through an open and ambiguous queer gaze, where attraction, friendship, and curiosity coexist without the need for definition. The Asturian landscape—shot in Monte Cayón (Piloña) and in an 18th-century attic in Biedes—accompanies this inner journey, surrounding the characters with a warm, melancholic atmosphere that reinforces the film’s intimate tone.

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