Close to Léo is about family...namely, Léo's family. At 21, he's the eldest of four; Marcel, age 11, is youngest. With their relatively young par­ents, they've always been happy and close-knit. Each is fairly open and accepting of Léo's homo­sexuality, but after learning he has AIDS, the family is faced with a situation that will eventual­ly test all bonds.

Worried that Marcel is too young to deal with this devastating news, he's omitted from the family discussions of Léo's HIV status. But one night after dinner Marcel overhears talk about Leo's health, and the news comes as a bomb­ shell. The family continues pretending every­ thing's fine to Marcel... and perhaps even to itself. Marcel is not duped, however, and he wants the truth to come out, but neither his par­ ents nor his brothers can bring themselves to speak openly about the situation.

Faced with the prospect of beginning an arduous medical regimen, Léo becomes increasingly more frustrated and he eventually takes matters into his own hands. He decides not to take the cocktail. Then he takes Marcel off to Paris so that he can explain both himself and his situation to his young brother.

Produced for French television as part of a series dealing with issues facing young people, Close to Léo realistically presents the issues of sexuality and acceptance with an honesty and insight that is seldom seen on U.S. television.