Ladies Sing the Blues

GIRLHOOD (A) - Sometimes a film presents a singular experience that doesn't lend itself to a whole bunch of analysis. After two viewings, I'm still at a loss for words as to why this is such a powerful drama.

Celine Sciamma ("Water Lillies," "Tomboy") further explores the maturing of young women, here a group of black teen girls trapped in the dead-end life in a housing project outside Paris. (The original title "Bande de Filles" translates better as "Girl Gang.") We follow Marieme (Karidje Toure), nicknamed Vic by the gang's leader, Lady (the striking Assa Sylla), as Marieme finds strong companionship, an escape from a home where she must mother her two younger sisters while their mother works as a housekeeper. She's also terrorized by a menacing (or worse?) older brother who has a caveman's view of teen girls dating.

The connection is strong among the four girls, including the sporty Adiatou (Lindsay Karamoh), who knows how to rock a matching yellow 'do rag and high-tops, and heavy-lidded Fily (Marietou Toure). They prowl malls, party in hotel rooms, and get into fights with other gangs. Lady is the alpha female, but she'll face serious challenges that might create an opening for Marieme.

Marieme is a lousy student who flunked out and lost her chance to go to college, and she's adrift, fluctuating between seeking and escaping. She has a crush on cute, geeky Ismael (Idrissa Diabate), a friend of her brother's, but she risks getting tagged as a slut if she fully pursues him. She eventually shuns honest work with her mother and instead dabbles in drug-running, dolled up in a white wig or posing as a boy. Karidje Toure smolders as the pent-up 16-year-old, going to extended lengths to please her pals and defy her brother.

The story might sound familiar, but Sciamma and her regular cinematographer, Crystel Fournier, create a stunning visual palette. Most of the scenes are tinged or bathed in shades of blue. Every frame is carefully designed and is visually arresting. One scene that will be make this a classic is a full rendering of the Rihanna song "Diamonds," lip-synced by the girls in their hotel room, infusing it with love and yearning and grrrl power. They take a rather ordinary hit and make it an anthem.

This tale of society's outcasts coming of age in a barren suburban landscape gives voice and swagger to emerging women. The fact that it's a visual masterpiece elevates it to true art. Words just don't do it justice.

BONUS TRACK
A magical scene: