Just days ahead of its premiere, the trailer for the French film “Forty Love” dropped in France. Romeo Beckham and Paul Kircher lock horns on the tennis court in a heated duel, and they grow closer off the court as well. The preview hints at a rivalry that grows increasingly personal, a charged sexual tension, and a possibly bloody finale.
Centered on Sacha Gallo, played by Paul Kircher (known for “The Gymnasium Student”), a 21-year-old tennis prodigy who, alongside his father and coach (Guillaume Canet), dreams of landing a major title in Paris. But with a charismatic rival played by Beckham, his meticulously orderly world starts to tremble. What begins as sports competition deepens into a burgeoning attraction that seems hard to hide.
Direct link | The trailer was released on Thursday. French producers have not yet provided subtitles in other languages
“It’s not my fault if you, damn it, fall in love with me,” Beckham’s character teases in the trailer. In another moment, a scene at a press conference finds her joking that she doesn’t want to come off as trying to be Sacha’s girlfriend. The trailer has sparked headlines around the world — though it remains unclear whether a kiss shown in one frame is between Beckham and his co-star, or with a female character.
The French release date for “Forty Love” is set for November 25. A release date for Germany has not yet been announced.
Also on board is Catherine Deneuve
For Romeo Beckham, the son of soccer icon David Beckham and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, this marks his screen debut. The project had been announced in the summer (TheColu.mn reported) and stirred speculation that it could ride the hype around a Canadian series, “Heated Rivalry,” about the romance between two hockey players — a buzz that also ties into a flourishing “Boy’s Love” genre in parts of Asia.
The film is directed by French fashion photographer Pierre-Ange Carlotti, who also makes his feature-film debut with “Forty Love.” He co-wrote the screenplay with Gaëlle Macé. The title “Love” in tennis reflects zero points; the combined notion of “Forty Love” adds a further twist. The cast also features Benjamin Voisin and cinema icon Catherine Deneuve. The film’s score includes contributions from 070 Shake and Johan Lenox.
Beckham wanted to be a pro tennis player once
Romeo Beckham is one of four sons born to celebrities David and Victoria Beckham. He has long worked as a model. As a teenager, he even pursued a professional tennis career. At 13, he undertook several years of intensive tennis training, including time at the renowned Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca and brief stints with British Grand Slam winner Andy Murray. In 2020, at 18, he decided to switch course and chase football like his father.
As a child, he also played club soccer. Romeo Beckham spent time with Inter Miami’s reserve team, part of the club owned by his father’s investor group, before trying out for Brentford’s reserve team. He ultimately ended his professional football career in fall 2024. In his private life, he has been dating model and DJ Kim Turnbull for about two and a half years.
