Les Autres filles (2000)
Directed by Caroline Vignal

Film Review

Having distinguished herself with two short films, director Caroline Vignal chose as the subject of her first full-length film the familiar coming-of-age drama.  Despite the banality of the scenario, Vignal succeeds in creating a work that is simultaneously engaging, realistic and provocative.  Her decision to use a combination of professional and non-professional actors pays off, giving the film an appropriate naturalistic edge.   In her sensitive portrayal of the film's central character, Julie Leclercq reveals a talent which doubtless other serious film directors will be keen to make use of in future years.  Although the film isn't faultless (some sequences feel painfully laboured and Solange's rapport with her parents doesn't quite feel real), it is a promising debut for its director.

Film Synopsis

Living in a small village on the outskirts of Toulouse, Solange is keen to grow up fast but is apprehensive as to what the future holds for her.  The precocious 16 year old still lives with her parents and is training to be a hairdresser, but the thing that most concerns here is losing her virginity as soon as she can.  Her friend Gary is everything she wants to be - confident in herself and not afraid to get involved with men.  Gary is the kind of liberated, modern girl Solange desperately wants to be, but in imitating someone else is she at risk of losing sight of her own identity and her own emotional needs?  Growing up is never easy, as Solange is about to discover...