CFUV @ VFF: Review of ‘Girlhood’

A few nights ago at VFF I got to see Celine Sciamma’s new film Girlhood. I had some excitement to see this one as I had enjoyed Sciamma’s first film Water Lilies a few years earlier when I first got Netflix. It is a coming of age film that doesn’t fit the North American model for such a film. Girlhood follows Marieme/Vic as she tries to get the life she wants rather than the one that is presented to her in her neighbourhood. Some outstanding camera shots break up some of the major chapter turns of her life. The moment she mentally joins the gang of girls, pocketing the knife and the camera pulls out slowly in the room. The colour blue is prevalent in many scenes through the film which reminded me of Kieslowski’s Three Colors: Blue which used the colours of the French Flag and blue representing Liberty. Girlhood could connect to similar themes of liberty but rather than emotional liberty like in Kieslowski’s film we find that Marieme seeks personal liberty. The framing of Marieme is excellent and in various scenes really lends power and agency to her character. The score is something that should be touched on as the use of one song or similar songs is used in the transition of chapters of Marieme’s life. There is also a lovable sing along with a Rihanna song that everyone would enjoy regardless of how you feel about Rihanna.

This coming of age film was a pleasure to watch amd so far out of the few films I have had time to check out this is the front runner for my favourite of the festival. I hope this film comes back to Victoria!

-Troy