Plot
Oppressed by her family setting, dead-end school prospects and the boys law in the neighborhood, Marieme starts a new life after meeting a group of 3 free-spirited girls. She changes her ... See full summary »
Release Year: 2014
Rating: 6.6/10 (800 voted)
Critic's Score: 94/100
Director: Céline Sciamma
Stars: Karidja Touré, Assa Sylla, Lindsay Karamoh
Storyline
Oppressed by her family setting, dead-end school prospects and the boys law in the neighborhood, Marieme starts a new life after meeting a group of 3 free-spirited girls. She changes her name, her dress code, and quits school to be accepted in the gang, hoping that this will be a way to freedom.
Filming Locations: Cité de la Noue, Bagnolet, Seine-Saint-Denis, France
Technical Specs
Runtime:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 9/10
Just saw the movie yesterday and absolutely loved it. I took to IMDb to
read up on the director and actresses etc., as I often do when I like a
movie. Imagine my surprise when the first review I saw was a long winy
'exposé' of calling the director a pervert in different ways. Say what?
Also because the director is lesbian she must hate men, no other
evidence needed really according to the author. While that's obviously
laughable for anyone who's not a raging homophobe and anyone in their
right mind will ignore that review I thought I'd offer my views since
there are sadly so few others around here (yet).
First I might disclose that I do have a weak spot for movies dealing
with female friendships, and as the movie reminded me of Show me Love
(Fucking Åmål), Marie Antoinette, Frances Ha and other female centered
movies, it was hard for me not to love it. The friendship between Vic
and Lady is especially touching, from Lady taking Vic on as a young shy
protegé, to them bonding after Vic's victory in the fight she fought
for Lady or for Lady's acceptance of Vic leaving.
The scene where they are dancing all together or playing mini-golf
reminds me of some of the few good scenes of The Bling Ring and perhaps
The Spring Breakers, that unquestioning best friend kind of
relationships that are never as strong as during your teenage years.
Then of course you have Vic's close relationship and protectiveness of
her younger sister. I almost cried when Vic sat all ashamed in the
train reaching for her sisters hand, and then her sister finally
forgave her. And then that final scene...
If the only thing you get out of this movie is that you're watching the
bodies of a group of young women, then you might want to take a serious
look at yourself and how you relate to women. The only sense of any
kind of possible objectification or sexual tension that occurred in my
mind was when Vic was telling her boyfriend to undress.
I could perhaps see that some, a handful, of the straight men watching
this movie would confuse it's undertones of sisterhood for something
else. After all if you've been feed movies where women are never
friends (consider the Bechdel test), only possibly lovers for the male
gaze to enjoy, then it might be hard to interpret this movie. It might
be frustrating to see young women presented in any other way than the
normal and since it doesn't fit your sensibilities interpret that as
the 'lesbian gaze'.
As a straight woman on the other hand I applaud this movie and wish
there are many more like this one to come!
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