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Movie poster, Girlhood

A girl with few real prospects joins a gang, reinventing herself and gaining a sense of self confidence in the process. However, she soon finds that this new life does not necessarily make her any happier. (source: IMDb)

There are massive hives of the struggling masses all around the world. They compress hopelessness, despair, brutality and rebellion into blocks of humankind. For teenagers they are harsh places in which to discover themselves.

For Vic the film begins with her having to face the fact that she does not qualify for the further education she desires. She is being left behind by her school friends, destined for the life and work of her mother.

And then she discovers Lady and her female gang, and there she discovers new behaviours and camaraderie.

And, of course, there is a boy.

Girlhood is a oftentimes harsh story, a coming-of-age tale told through a lens darkly.

Vic moves through the film with little self-determination. She doesn't inspire the audience. She is neither likeable nor not. In this occasionally disjointed film, she drifts without goals and leaves us strangely unengaged. But perhaps this is the best way to portray her. We watch without involvement a world that is inhabited by a girl, uninvolved.

by Ali Kayn Australian release 13 Aug 2015 Watch the trailer For credits and official site details, see below Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below. See also:

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Just the facts: Title: Girlhood (2015) Written by: Céline Sciamma Directed by: Céline Sciamma Running time: 113 mins Rating: The Players: Assa Sylla, Karidja Toure Official website: www.girlhood.com.au IMDb entry For session times of current films, use the cinema listings on the Movie links page. For scheduled release dates, see the coming attractions section. For more information about this movie, check out the internet movie database. For the latest additions to Festivale, check out the change history section.

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