Directed by Celine Sciamma
This film opens with the operatic intensity of a synchronised swimming competition, full of sequins, splashing water and the unison of beautifully pointed feet. Marie (Pauline Acquart) is quite underdeveloped compared to her classmates. She is mesmerised by the beautiful Floriane (Adele Haenel), and her best friend, the chubby Anne (Louise Blachere), is a bit of an embarrassment. All three girls are fifteen years of age and trying to deal with the emotional chess moves involved in negotiating friendships and the demands of their developing sexualities.
While Anne lusts after a boy on the water polo team, the object of Marie’s infatuation is the stunning Floraine who seems to be desired by most of the males in the film. The original French title translates as Birth of Octopuses and the underwater shots of the young swimmers’ legs certainly bring to mind the amount of churning that often happens below the surface even though things seem fine on top. French films often push the boundaries and there are some confrontational scenes in this coming-of-age story, but the beautifully-shot film is certainly a more rewarding experience than the usual fare that concentrates on the clichéd experiences of heterosexual teenagers.
Water Lilies screens as part of the French Film Festival that boasts the ‘crème de la crème’ of contemporary French cinema and France’s finest actors. It runs from March 27 to April 6 with 34 feature films and 4 documentaries, most of which will be making their Australian premiere.
For more details see www.frenchfilmfestival.org
