Girlhood Review

Girlhood

    In her film Girlhood Director Celine Sciamma explores women of color in an interesting perspective. The film tells the story of a young girl named Marieme (Karidja Toure) and her transformation from a young, innocent girl into a member of a female gang. She possesses many stages throughout the film and the spectator grows up with her from start to finish. Unlike most cliché gang films it explores the complexity of family and illustrates a lingering uneasiness of the world that surrounds all the girls. The most powerful scene in the movie is when all four girls are dancing and lip syncing to Rhianna’s Diamonds in their hotel room. The indigo lighting emulated a concert as all of the girls danced and felt free to love themselves together.  They are so insecure in the real world but together they feel like Diamonds. The film illustrated the complexities of black family, love, and relationships. It is so amazing to see four lead dark skin women playing leads as a film together. It is something that is beyond rare in cinema created from the west. Although amusing and artistic, I don’t know if I would necessarily call it a positive message for black females; but it is one that illustrates strength. Sciamma’s perspective is only one. More stories need to be told.