Summer in a new suburb outside Paris. Nothing to do but look at the ceiling. Marie, Anne and Floriane are 15. Their paths cross in the corridors at the local swimming pool, where love and desire make a sudden, dramatic appearance.
This feature debut by young French filmmaker Céline Sciamma provides a look into the world of teenage girls, a place that’s often explored in films but rarely in such a revealing and discomfiting manner. Marie (Acquart) is a reserved 15-year-old who is drawn to Floriane (Adele Haenel), the most brazen member of her synchronized swimming team.
The messiness of the psychological and sexual warfare that follows is intensified by the modernist austerity of the film’s setting.
“Set in the world of competitive synchronised swimming for secondary schools girls, the Cannes Un certain regard entry benefits from an extremely nuanced script, flawless performances from its young leads and great cinematography.” European-films.net
Dir. Celine Sciamma – 2007 - France - 85 mins - Cert 15 - Slingshot Studios
