Mignonnes spurred a bunch of controvery upon it's American release as people accused it of sexualizing young girls. The film, which follows the experiences of an 11 year old muslim girl from an immigrant family in France as she tries to connect with other girls in her school, isn't really anything like what its critics describe. It explores the way her family culture interacts with the mainstream French culture around her, and does focus on the ways her friends express their developing sexuality in dress and behavior. The film is a portrait of a young person desperate to connect to those around her while also navigating her family's culture. It is truly quite fascinating.
Critics appear to be saying simply by exploring these very real world issues, the film is exploiting them. The issue of how to tell a story such as this, including its critique of both the western and traditional cultures and all that involves, including the hpersexualization of young women in western culture, is a challenging one. However writer/director Doucouré handles this difficult balance with quite a sensitivity, balancing how she handles both the treatment of the Senegalese women living in France as they work within their religious, linguistic, and cultural landscape and the treatment of the young French girls excited to act older than they are. The film is tragic and sad, honestly facing the factors which inspire these girls to make the choices they do. Doucouré finds humour and sadness as well as a little hope in the end in this story of growing up similar to how films like Thirteen or Eighth Grade but with the added element of the immigrant dimension.
Mignonnes is likely another example of films being judged before they are seen, mistaken for something they are not. The film spends a good amount of time on the girls' enjoying dancing together, often exploring the forms of dance they see in music videos. The film doesn't show us this to titillate us, but to put this in our face, to show us the reality of being 11 in this age and with the cultural influences which pervade each aspect of our children's lives. It is a story of scared, confused, little girls, growing into young women without the supports they need, often treating each other horribly out of their own insecurities seeing only around them what the world wants from them not for them. It is quite powerful.
Breakout star Fathia Youssouf is remarkable, giving her character, Amy, such a quiet depth and power. Her performance is riveting. She is dealing with so much through this story and Youssouf handles it all masterfully. Mignonnes is an impressive debut by Youssouf and Doucouré, both of whom I am excited to see more of what they can do.
No comments:
Post a Comment