directed by Emmanuelle Nicot
Today, I’d like to recommend you a film that may stay with you for a long time. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from it before watching, especially since its subjects cannot be considered as easy ones for sure. In the end, I left the cinema speechless and convinced I have to write a post for you about it. The main character that we’re following in this story is Dalva (Zelda Samson), a 12-year-old girl, who’s taken away from her abusive father. The man has been manipulating his daughter for years making her believe that whatever he does to her is absolutely fine. Dalva, despite such a young age, differs from her peers, which becomes even more obvious when she moves into a foster home. Her appearance and choice of clothes visibly don’t match her age, but also her way of thinking and behaving seems incredibly mature. For us, viewers, and all the adults involved in the girl’s case it’s not difficult to understand that Dalva’s father is a criminal and has been hurting his own child, but the 12-year-old has her own perspective. She’s so trusting, empathic and devoted to her father that she truly believes he didn’t do anything wrong. On the one hand, it might be caused by the constant manipulation, on the other, perhaps Dalva hasn’t learned about other and much healthier relations between a parent and a child. That is why she loves her father the way he is because that’s the only possible scenario of their relation she can imagine. In the foster home, Dalva has a chance to meet other teenagers and learn how to be a 12-year-old, although all her new friends there have also been through a lot, so the communication and interaction between them are also quite specific. Personally, I was stunned by this production. First, because of the main idea of showing deeply manipulated and abused child so peacefully. Watching this film you kind of feel like Dalva herself – as if nothing wrong has happened. But you know that it’s not true, so you’re literally fighting with yourself and your own emotions. There are several genuinely funny moments in the film, but after laughing at them I had this tiny alarm going off in my head reminding me that it still is a terrifying drama. Why am I laughing? Should I be laughing? This production really plays with your emotions, but I loved it for that. Second, I was absolutely amazed by little Zelda, who wasn’t much older than her character at the time of shooting. Her role was demanding and I bet many adult actresses wouldn’t have done it better than her, so chapeau bas and I can’t wait to see Zelda in next productions. And lastly, maybe you’ll be surprised to read it, but to me none of this film’s elements is pointless. What I mean by that is every character, every dialogue, every shot – they all mattered. And I’m even more thrilled knowing that it was the director’s debut, which means she has some natural intuition about making quality productions with engaging stories. Mer-veil-leux! One of the best films I’ve seen this year and you know how picky I can be, so this is my honest opinion and recommendation. Don’t you dare miss it.
My rating: 8/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 