Stand-out performance in a truthful tale of teenage life

The third of the films in the Eastbourne Film Society's Spring Mini-Season plays at the Curzon Cinema next Wednesday, April 20.
Karidja Toure in Girlhood SUS-161104-092055001Karidja Toure in Girlhood SUS-161104-092055001
Karidja Toure in Girlhood SUS-161104-092055001

This is Céline Sciamma’s Girlhood, a revelatory work about life in Paris. The locations used include such familiar ones as La Défense and Les Halles, but the chief emphasis is on the working class areas of Bagnolet and Bobigny and the film focuses on black girls in their teens.

Céline Sciama made her name with such films as Tomboy and Water Lilies: she is never condescending and always sympathetic as she tells this tale of teenage life which has at its centre 16-year-old Marieme. The film shows the girl’s difficult home background and how, at first through a desire to have a good time, she develops the strength to make her own way in life and to do what is right for her. This key role is played by Karidja Touré who gives a stand-out performance and the film has won ten awards at festivals including San Sebastián. As ever seats are available for the public.

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