Review of Girlhood (2014) by Joe H — 26 Sep 2016

There's something beautifully naturalistic about the way Céline Sciamma captures the experiences of young people (especially girls) in the process of self-discovery. Her newest film Girlhood concerns one such character; a African-French teen named Marieme living in a poor Parisian suburb.

Disqualified from high school, she comes to thrive in the company of three other adolescent girls, but the film's second half is more concerned with the few options presented to these suburban teens in making their transitions to adulthood.

Classic manifestations of sexism rear their heads when a group of teenage boys humiliate one of Marieme's friends for losing a fight to another girl, deciding that she was "just a chick" after all.

Marieme's reputation also becomes endangered when she beds her brother's friend, risking in the process being branded a slut. These conflicts are at the heart of the film's narrative because Girlhood isn't an average coming-of-age film.

It assertively explores the notion of finding one's place in a world where options are sparse. One of the best scenes comes near the end when Marienne compassionately declines a boyfriend's proposal of marriage, turning down security for independence.

The uplifting final shot, composed of a profiled close-up of Marieme's determined face as she walks forward and out of frame, marks Sciamma's tragedy-laden story as ultimately one of empowerment and courage.