Girlhood

16-year-old Marieme, who comes from the Parisian suburbs, has problems at school and is under the thumb of her older brother at home. She meets three unconventional, funny girls who are notorious throughout the neighbourhood and begins not only to emancipate herself, but also to find a way out of her situation. A new life, new friends, a new name (‘Vic’) and new dress codes - BANDE DE FILLES tells the story of this change in Marieme and of girls who experience their youth under the protection of a clique. A sparkling film. A real cinema experience.

A coming-of-age film of the (very) good kind. Set in the Parisian banlieues, French director Céline Sciamma paints a sensitive and incredibly strong portrait of 16-year-old Marieme (Karidja Touré) without ever tipping over into social drama. Marieme lives with her mother, younger sisters and older brother in a small flat in a suburb criss-crossed by huge housing complexes. While her father is completely absent and her brother seems to take on his role, Marieme increasingly resists the social norms that are imposed on her in this narrow world full of prohibitions. Last but not least, the film also impresses with its strong cast, which consists of non-professional actors that Sciamma met over four months through street castings.
castings over four months. A touching film about freedom and boundaries, the search for identity of a female socialised person, friendship, the breaking down of role models and probably the most beautiful and touching Rihanna Diamond performance. (Text: cinema and riot)