Tender Cousins is a French film directed by David Hamilton. The story is set in the summer of 1939 in the French countryside, where teenage cousins Julien (Thierry Tevini) and Julia (Anja Shute) are spending their holidays together. The two share a close and intimate relationship which gradually turns into a romantic one.
As they spend their days exploring the fields and meadows, picking flowers, reading books, and swimming in the lake, their bond deepens and becomes more physical. However, their innocent love is challenged by the arrival of their Aunt who disapproves of their relationship and tries to separate them.
The film is a coming-of-age story that explores the themes of love, innocence, and sexual awakening. It depicts the beauty and simplicity of youth as well as the complexities and dramas of family dynamics. The movie also features stunning visuals of the French countryside and depicts the idyllic life of the French aristocracy before the outbreak of World War II.