Review of Girlhood (2014) by Reece L — 08 Oct 2015

Women are institutionally marginalized, but not subjugated; they may have to walk home in groups to avoid being attacked by men, but in the process they form essential female networks that help them survive and thrive in the face of these hardships.

Girlhood is entirely about celebrating this female friendship, specifically black female friendship (an immeasurably more essential thing given the added burden of society's racist social and class structures), and this alone makes it something special in an industry where subject matter involving the black community is barely addressed.

Thankfully, the film that Sciamma creates to convey this content is also excellent, a necessary proclamation of female strength and camaraderie that overcomes its slow pace with a powerful message about female ownership and the rejection of complacency.